Cheyenne McCray - Point Blank (Lawmen Book 4) (8 page)

She was an enigma to him, somewhat of a puzzle. He enjoyed putting that puzzle together, piece by piece.

He tossed the tissue onto the floorboard behind his seat as he drove. His phone rang and he sniffled as he looked at the caller ID. His stomach twisted into a knot. “Unknown Caller” was on the screen. Every single time Mark answered that ID, the unknown caller was Rodrigo Jimenez. Rodrigo was better known as El Verdugo, The Executioner. EV was the leader of the Jimenez Cartel and Mark’s employer. He was probably calling from the family compound in Mexico.

Sweat broke out on Mark’s forehead. He positioned his Bluetooth earpiece in his right ear before touching the answer/disconnect button. “This is Okle.”

“What is the status on the Denver shipment?” EV always sounded like he was pissed off—unless some piece of ass was sucking his dick while he was on the phone. EV was known for enjoying getting off while conducting business, likely forcing a young woman—one of the compound servants—to do it.

“Everything’s in place.” Mark guided the car along the two-lane highway. He always tried to sound smooth and professional, as if EV didn’t scare the shit out of him. “The tradeshow opens tomorrow and the buyers are ready to go.”

“Good.” EV had a hard edge to his voice. “The bitch is gold, so don’t fuck it up. I have millions invested in the product she is delivering to the buyer in Denver.”

Mark had to bite his tongue.
He
, not EV, was the one who had come up with the way to move the product.
He,
not EV, had found Natasha and convinced her to sell the statuettes filled with product. The bastard should show a little respect. Mark didn’t give a shit about Natasha beyond the fact that she could make him some damned good money. She was a means to an end.

Mark clenched his teeth before letting out his breath. “I’ll let you know as soon as the product is in the buyer’s hands.”

“Yes, you will.” EV disconnected the call.

Mark clenched the steering wheel tighter as the phone went dead. “Bastard.”

A moment later, he removed his Bluetooth and tossed it into an empty drink holder. Sometimes he wanted out so badly that he had the desire to yell at EV and tell him to fuck off. That, no doubt, would get Mark executed. EV wasn’t called The Executioner for nothing. Mark had seen what the cartel leader did if his employees crossed him, and he had damn near shit his pants. What Mark did to men who deserved a little extra “attention” was child’s play compared to what EV could and would do.

He’d gotten involved with EV for the money to get his mother into the best local retirement center. He’d done it for her. But then he’d grown accustomed to the perks as the money rolled in. Mark was good at what he did, which was moving product, and that afforded him a lifestyle he couldn’t have had any other way. He never used the product himself, something EV had made clear was against the rules for his key men.

Yes, Mark had learned a lot from the cartel leader, from staying away from blow to torturing information out of anyone he needed to. He’d been surprised how easily that had come to him.

He glanced at Selena to see her still staring out the window at the winter-yellowed grass and other scenery passing by. She didn’t pay attention when he was on the phone for his legitimate or illegitimate endeavors. She preferred to clean her Beretta or shoot someone rather than being concerned with his business.

When they were alone, they sometimes spoke of politics, and he’d been pleased her views were much the same as his. She was a great conversationalist when she needed to be in social situations, while other times she remained quiet and let him do the talking. She always knew what to do or say at the right time.

He smiled to himself as he paid better attention to the road, and narrowly missed a pothole.

Selena was the perfect companion. Supermodel gorgeous, she was intelligent and easy to talk with. She refused to have anything to do with drugs, was pleased to donate her time to the retirement home, disinterested in his wealth, and smart enough to not pay attention to his business dealings. And cold enough to kill for him when he needed her to.

Only one thing bothered him at times. She said little of her past and managed to turn the conversation back to him, asking him about his childhood and the artists and art pieces he worked with.

She had known what he did with most of the art from the beginning. He used a great deal of it to move cocaine and heroin. He even dabbled in a little ecstasy, more recently known as Molly, and it was something he’d slipped into Selena’s drink a time or two. Come to think of it, those were the times they’d fucked. The thought of driving his dick into her wet pussy made him horny as hell.

He might just have to put something into her drink tonight.

The home Natasha parked near was on the outskirts of Denver. It was one of the biggest houses she’d seen outside of TV or the movies.

Gary had said that the host liked to show off his house. This was definitely the type of home some people would love to put on display.

Lights blazed from the sprawling two-story house and people were walking from their parked cars, up salted stone steps, and along a stone path. The path was lined with luminaries perched on the edge of every step. Each filigreed brown luminary gave off a buttery yellow glow from candles flickering within.

It never failed to make her wince when she was about to go into a two-story home. The memory of climbing out of her car on the upper floor of that home she’d crashed into was still so vivid. Jeez, she’d had enough accidents and near misses to cover the rest of her lifetime.

She was glad she had chosen one of her colorful flowy skirts and a pair of boots that reached just below her knees. They looked good with her outfit, yet protected her feet from the cold, ice, and snow. She didn’t feel overdressed or underdressed.

The moment she killed the engine, cold air pressed against the windows as if it couldn’t wait to get inside and wrap itself around her. She tugged on her jacket as the car grew colder.

She grabbed her purse, opened the door, swung her feet out, and stepped onto crunchy snow. She looked around at people parking their cars and heading toward the house as if they were children following the Pied Piper.

Even though she had grown up in Indiana, she had already become accustomed to Arizona weather. Her fingers felt as if they had turned to ice and her teeth chattered. She buried her hands in her jacket pockets and started for the stone steps.

Thoughts of her brief time with Brooks came to mind. He was so good-looking, in a hard, masculine way. She’d had the intense desire to touch him, to feel his hard body beneath her palms, but she had kept her hands to herself. She didn’t even know Brooks and she wanted to be all over him in a way she had never experienced with a man she’d just met.

By the time she reached the entrance to the magnificent house, she knew she wanted to get to know Brooks a lot better. She hoped like crazy he would be here tonight.

Gary met her at the door, as if he’d been waiting for her. Maybe he had. She smiled at him and he gave her his surfer dude’s grin.

“I’m glad you came.” He took her hand and pulled her into the house. “You can put your coat and purse in the coatroom.”

She raised her brows. “This place even has a coatroom?”

Sure enough, she was taken to a massive walk-in closet with an attendant at the door who watched them closely.

The closet was filled with rows of hangers, a good number of coats already there. After she removed her coat, Gary hung it up. She thought about how Brooks had helped her out of her coat unlike other men she had known.

“You can leave your purse.” Gary gestured to the hanger. “There’s always someone on guard.” He nodded to the attendant.

She smiled and arranged the cross-body strap so that her hands were free. “I’d rather keep it with me.”

He shrugged and grabbed her hand again. “Let’s get to the party.”

She squeezed his hand. He had become such a good friend that he made her smile. She started to tell him she’d invited Brooks, but Gary was being extra chatty, telling her about the house, and she let him go on.

The moment he led her through a set of double doors, she was hit with the powerful smell of marijuana and was nearly overwhelmed with the haze filling the room. No way did she want to be someplace where drugs were involved. She started to step back before it occurred to her that she was in a state where MJ was legal. She didn’t like the smoke, and wasn’t crazy about the fact that the smell would cling to her hair and clothes, but she was here and might as well stick around. Brooks might show up and she didn’t want him to arrive after she had run off.

“I’ll get you a drink and then introduce you to Mitch.” Gary gestured across the room to a guy with shaggy brown hair reclining on a gigantic curved couch made of black leather. A bong was positioned on the couch between Mitch’s thighs, and a blonde and a brunette cuddled close on either side of him. “What do you like to drink?” Gary drew her attention away from Mitch. “He always has a full bar and a bartender.”

She definitely did not want alcohol at a party like this. “Coke would be great, if he has it.”

“Mitch has everything.” Gary laughed. “You wait here.”

He vanished into a small crowd to her right before she could say she’d go with him. She turned her attention back to the room, letting her gaze drift over the couples and groups mingling around the enormous place that had to be about half the size of a ballroom.

She wanted to hold her breath, hoping she wouldn’t get high from secondhand smoke. There had to be a patio or something, maybe one with heaters. A guy who had this kind of place had to have heated patios. But when she thought about it, she realized this wasn’t Arizona and she doubted heaters could give off enough warmth to fend off the cold in the middle of winter in Denver. Maybe she wouldn’t stay too long.

Gary showed up not much later, holding two plastic cups and handed her one. “Coke for you.” He handed a cup to her. “And vodka and Coke for me.”

She sipped from the cup. It had a different flavor. She hadn’t felt any kind of alcohol warming her throat and belly as it went down, so she doubted it was his. “This tastes like vanilla Coke.”

He shook his head and reached for the cup. “The bartender must have poured the wrong drink. I’ll get you another.”

“This is fine.” She smiled. “It’s not a problem.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive.” She nodded. “It’s cold outside, but is there someplace we can get some fresh air?”

“I know someplace pretty amazing.” Gary looked thoughtful as he considered her question. “There’s an awesome solarium off of Mark’s suite. He’ll probably let us use that.”

“If it’s no trouble.” She smiled. “It sounds cool.”

“I’ll introduce you to Mitch and we can ask him.” Gary took her hand and led her to the man he’d pointed out earlier. “Hey, buddy,” he said when they reached Mitch and the blonde and brunette pressed up against him. He had an arm around each woman now.

“That’s one hot babe, Gary.” From Mitch’s eyes, it was easy to see he was stoned. “I saw her when you walked in. I’ll make sure you have a real good time.” He moved his arm from around the brunette’s shoulders, raised his bong, and offered it to Natasha. “Take a hit.”

She held up one hand. “Thanks, but no.”

“This is Natasha.” Gary put his arm around her shoulders. “She’d like some fresh air. Mind if I show her the solarium?”

“Knock yourself out.” Mitch released his bong and set it between his thighs again. “I have a feeling you’re going to have a fun night, babe,” he added to Natasha with a wink.

The guy gave her the creeps. But she gave a polite little wave to Mitch as Gary turned her away. He released her as soon as they were on the other side of the crowd.

He rolled his eyes. “If Mitch knew you’re not tied to anyone, he’d be all over you. It’s better he thinks we’re together.”

“Mitch seemed to have his hands plenty full.”

“You don’t know Mitch.” Gary grinned. “The solarium is much quieter and no damned smoke.” He gestured to the doors they’d come through. “He has three different enclosed patios, but hardly anyone knows about the one we’re going to. Like I said, it won’t be filled with smoke. That shit clings to everything.”

She walked with Gary to the doors, taking another sip of the vanilla Coke. She was glad to get out of the marijuana smoke-filled room. Her clothes and hair likely reeked already, and she hoped Brooks wouldn’t mind, then wondered why she cared if he did. But she’d definitely have to shower when she got back to the hotel.

In moments she and Gary were out in the foyer with its soaring vaulted ceilings, and what appeared to be expensive Italian tile. He gestured to an arch to their left that opened into a wide hallway lit by a dim sconce at the entrance.

She took a bigger drink and wished she had finished her appetizer when she was with Brooks earlier. She was starting to feel lightheaded from not eating enough.

Gary talked about Mitch as they walked side-by-side to the hallway. “He acts like a stoner, but he’s sharp as hell. Made a shitload of cash before the big market crash.”

When they reached the end of the hallway, he steered her to their right, into a huge room. “This is the master suite. We’re going to Mitch’s private patio.” He pointed to a pair of closed French doors on the other side of the room.

As they walked, she felt even more lightheaded. She had the urge to stop walking but couldn’t seem to come to a halt.

“This is about the freshest air you’ll find in this place in the winter.” Gary led the way to the doors and she followed a step behind. He opened the doors and warmth rushed in. “He keeps the solarium warm during winter parties.”

She walked out through the open doorway. The solarium had three glowing heaters, as well as three tables with chairs. Snowflakes drifted down on the other side of the glass, and she felt like she was in a snow globe.

A door was directly in front, and through the glass she could see a lighted swimming pool glowing in the night. She wondered if pools could ice over in this part of the country but guessed this one was heated.