Acres, Natalie - Sex Drive [Country Roads 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (14 page)

“What happened?” Lucy asked, watching Luke situate the burgers on a large tray.

“Dad had about twenty thousand head of cattle in Wheeler. He was dealing with a crook, and he knew it. Mr. Malone was aware of the situation. Dad had gone to him for advice numerous times. Anyway, after my parents were killed, we received a letter from the feedlot owner detailing some made-up complications. The corn-fed cattle were dying off, at rapid speed.

“Needless to say, after the third letter came, Rex and Mrs. Carpenter were alarmed. They took the letters to Mr. Malone, and he flew to
Texas
with Rex. The facility housed about thirty-two thousand head, and it was at capacity. The bunks were read several times a day, so there were records supporting Mr. Malone’s suspicions. The majority of the cattle there belonged to my father. Mr. Malone obtained a court order, and when the cattle sold, we were paid. If it hadn’t been for your grandfather, we would’ve lost millions.”

“I never knew about that.”

“There’s a longer version to that story,” Luke said, grinning. “Anyway, Rex learned a lot about modern-day cattle hustling from your granddad, and he spent every waking hour after that trip learning about the business. He vowed we’d never get beat out of a dime. So far, we haven’t.” A beat later he added, “And we’re not about to let the scum of the earth beat us out of our girl.”

Chapter Seventeen

Rex took a seat at the head table and looked out over the small group. The aroma of a good old-fashioned Southern cookout filled the courtyard, and while Rex was hungry, after he’d talked to Fred Graves, he’d lost his appetite.

After this was all over, Rex planned to spank Lucy’s ass raw for getting involved with such a common thug.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “You doing okay, lover?”

“Yes,” she replied, smiling up at him.

His heart skipped a few beats, and he relaxed then, certain Lucy was strong enough to make it through the night. Rex nodded toward Luke, and Luke reached under the table. The little shit was probably fingering her while he ate.

Rex snickered. If so, he hoped
Graves
had a bird’s-eye view of what he was missing.

Taking a sip of his cola, he stood, deciding he could eat later. He might as well get this show on the road. They had a lot of tracks to cover.

“May I have your attention?” he asked, clanging a fork against his glass.

A rumble washed over the crowd and all eyes turned toward him. Rex had the floor.

“Please, make yourself right at home tonight. Our caterers prepared a wonderful meal on short notice. Let’s give them a hand.”

Everyone clapped.

Rex waited for the praise to end and then said, “Tonight, we have a lot of business to discuss. First and foremost, I want to talk to you about Lucy’s dream for MMHPG. Mason Malone’s High Performance Group is dedicated to its drivers and staff. Those of you who’ve been in the pits or behind the wheels of MMHPG cars understand Lucy’s goals. Most of you share her competitive nature which is why you’re here.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet all of you. We’ve talked about your future plans and the goals of MMHPG. I hope by the time this night is through, all of you will make plans to remain with our racing team.” He paused, turned to Lucy, and winked. She winked back. The “our” factor apparently pleased her. “MMHPG will be relocating to
Tennessee
, and we hope to keep everyone on board as we help you and your families make the transition.”

Taking another drink from his glass, he sought out
Graves
and watched him. He was nervous. It took one Dom to see this in another. Despite his cool demeanor and cocksure attitude,
Graves
knew something was up, and he was probably trying to figure out a way to stop what they had planned for him. Then again, how did a man—even one like
Graves
—halt what he didn’t see coming.

Rex cleared his throat. “Tonight, after dinner, I’d like to invite you into the media room where we’ll show some highlights from MMHPG’s history. After you view some of the footage, I’ll ask for your signature on these contracts.” He held up a five-page agreement. “All of you are aware of the fact that contractual terms vary and are confidential.

“At the end of the evening, I believe each of us will have a clearer meaning of where we stand with one another.” He glared at Fred. “If not, we’ll certainly do what we can to clarify any questions you may have.”

With that, he sat down. Lucy patted his knee.

“That went well, I think,” Luke said, around a mouthful of food. “Old Fred over there is about to shit his pants.”

“Luke, please,” Lucy said. “We’re eating.”

Rex grunted. “I only have a taste for one thing right now.”

Lucy giggled.

“It ain’t that, sugar,” Rex grumbled. “Though I’ll want some of you a little bit later.”

“He’s talking about revenge,” Luke explained.

She left her hand on his leg and took a drink of her iced tea. “Fred keeps looking over here.”

“Good,” Rex said, putting his arm around her. “Let him get a load of this.”

His lips crashed against hers, and he sank his tongue deep inside her mouth, kissing her like the audience was there to view only them, acting as if he were a man in the middle of a public claiming. When he finished, he pulled away and stared down at the prettiest little vixen he’d ever seen. “Now, finish your dinner. You’ll need your energy later.”

* * * *

The images scattered across the projector several hours later in the media room. With the theatre-style seats occupied, there was standing room only at the back of the room. Fred had tried to make his way toward her several times. Once, Luke intervened. Another time, Rex caught her by the arm and pulled her into a corner.

Billy eventually grabbed her arm and pulled her to the wayside to discuss the terms of his contract. They’d offered more money but wanted three additional years in the form of an extended commitment, and Billy couldn’t sign anything without his business manager—Melinda, of course, managed him.

“You’ll have to discuss the terms with Rex,” Lucy told him, aware of Fred standing nearby. “He’ll give you time to talk to Melinda since she arrives tomorrow.”

Billy frowned. “I’m still the rookie here, Lucy, but I gotta ask you something.”

“Sure,” she said, realizing where this conversation was headed.

“Are you sure about all this?” he asked, tilting his head toward Luke and Rex.

“Don’t get me wrong. These guys are all right, but you…you’ve worked hard for what you’ve got, and it looks like you’re just turning everything over to them.”

Lucy smiled. “Billy, trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

He shrugged. “If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

“I’m happy.”

Billy walked away, and Fred marched toward her. He took her by the arm and said, “I need to talk to you.”

She forced a smile and hurriedly scanned the room for Rex or Luke. When she couldn’t find them, she faced off with a demon. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”

He snarled. “We’ll see about that.”

Jerking her arm free of his grip, she said, “You have no business coming here, Fred. None whatsoever.”

“We both know that’s not true. My family sponsors two of your cars. Several of your drivers would walk off this team if I asked them, and the rest of them will go when I show them what kind of worthless whore they work for. Do you really want to piss me off tonight, Lucy?”

“She doesn’t,” Rex said, coming from behind them. “But I do.”

Fred released Lucy and faced off with Luke and Rex. Luke nodded toward the hallway. “We have a deal to strike with you, too,
Graves
.”

“I’m not interested,” he said, his cold glare sticking to her like glue.

Rex grunted and turned, walking toward the door. “If I were you, I’d walk this way, motherfucker. Otherwise, I’ll call Scott Delaney and warn him of things to come.”

“Who?” All the color drained from Fred’s face.

“You heard the guy,” Luke said, smiling as widely as Lucy had ever seen. “My brother gets around. Lucky for Lucy, wouldn’t you say?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Luke leaned in and whispered, “Maybe a few whips and chains will knock some memory back into ya.”

Fred stilled with the mention.

Luke stood a little taller. He was enjoying this. No question about it. “Scott Delaney and I go way back, Fred. It’s a small world, ya know?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Fred remarked, agitated.

“That’s okay,” Luke chimed in. “I’m sure Scott kept some pictures. He’s a proud drag queen. I’ve been to several of his shows. I’m surprised you didn’t know about his fetishes. He has a bad habit of collecting friends, and mementos from the good times he shares with his guests. Scott still has photographs of the two of you playing with something that looks a whole lot like an impact wrench.”

Fred gulped.

“If I were you, I’d follow my brother. See if the two of you can’t strike a deal.”

“This isn’t over, Lucy,” Fred whispered, narrowing his sunken eyes.

“The hell it isn’t,” Luke said. “You might as well kiss her good-bye and say your apologies here. In fact, if I were you, I’d grovel for her forgiveness.

“Lucy won’t concern herself with you from here forward. She’s leaving you to us. Personally? I’d love to see your arrogant ass on the front of
Sports World Galore
with your hands on someone else’s lugnuts. Believe me, those pictures exist.”

Fred broke a sweat, and Lucy lost her fear. There was something to be said about blackmailing someone who’d spent the better part of three years discrediting everyone around him. There was something to be said about gaining the upper hand. Being in the driver’s seat never felt better, especially since the winner’s circle was just around the corner.

Chapter Eighteen

Rex slammed the door in Lucy’s face. He didn’t want her to see this side of him and he was perfectly capable of handling Fred on his own.

Luke took a seat on the sofa. He crossed his legs, bouncing his left leg over his right and sitting with his wrist bent, focusing on his watch.

“Do you mind?” Rex asked, resisting a smile.

“Your maturity leaves a lot to be desired,” Fred said, addressing Luke.

“Your tactics leave you wide open to karma,” Rex told him.

“I don’t know what Lucy’s told you, but I’m no threat to her.”

“Really? That’s good to hear,” Rex said, fixing a scotch and water.

“Would you care for a
cock…tail
?” Luke asked Fred.

“I believe I’ll pass.”

“Smart choice,” Rex said.

“What do you want from me?”

Rex sat behind the large mahogany desk. He shuffled a few papers, lifted the desk organizer, and pretended to be on a deliberate search. “I have something you want, actually.”

Luke grinned. “They’re in the closet. I had a few thousand copies made.”

“Ah,” Rex said, playing along. He strolled across the room, picked up a remote control off the end table in passing, and opened the folding doors to a closet packed with boxes. “Do me a favor, Fred. Pick out one of these DVDs. I wanna show you something.”

Fred didn’t move. “What kind of game are you playing?”

Rex said. “They’re all the same so just choose one. I don’t have all day.”

Fred stalked across the room, stared at the numerous containers in disbelief, and then opened the top of a box shoved in the far corner. He chose a DVD as directed. “This is ridiculous.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I’m trying to take over my girlfriend’s company so she can concentrate on her personal life and I’m doing damage control with old boyfriends. If you think you’re unhappy, take a peek inside my fury.”

“It ain’t pretty in there,” Luke told him, spreading his arms over the back of the sofa.

Rex snapped the DVD case out of Fred’s hands and headed for the entertainment center. After inserting the disc, he turned on the television and took a seat on the edge of the coffee table, fiddling with the remote until he found the volume. A loud, humming racket filled the room, alerting them to the surround sound system.

“There we go. We’re all set,” Rex announced. “Sit down, Fred.”

“I prefer to stand.”

“You’ll probably faint,” Luke said, winking. “But don’t worry, big boy, I’ll catch you when you fall.”

Fred’s face held an ashen color. He nervously lowered himself to the edge of a sofa cushion, staring at the television.

Rex watched Fred. He hit the play-option on the remote and the acts unfolded. They weren’t for the faint at heart. There, on the big screen, Fred’s dirty laundry was aired.

“I’m not sure I can stomach this,” Luke said, turning away.

“I can,” Rex said, focusing on Fred as the noises from a chain reaction male on male party filled the room. “Here’s the thing, Fred. I understand that you and Lucy have a torrid past.”