Undercover Elite (Undercover Elite Book 2) (15 page)

Thorn

She’s scared again, I can read her like a book; I’ve been doing it for years.

“He knows, I don’t know how, but he knows we broke in last night.”

I pull her to me and run my fingers through her hair, rubbing her scalp to comfort her. I like knowing what soothes her.

“But we didn’t break in. Even if it’s on tape and I’m certain it is, the door was propped open and you’re an employee with a key. If he’s watching security tapes, that tells me he’s the one doing something wrong. This need he has to be in control is only a manifestation of the real issue, and that’s what he’s hiding.”

“What do you think it is?”

“That’s what we’re going to find out. Personally, I think your boss has got some mental health issues; mixed with the power he has, he’s a dangerous man. What I can’t figure out is why he’s allowing you to remain so close to him. It’s like he doesn’t care if you know what he’s doing.”

“That goes with his narcissistic personality. He feels he has nothing to hide. His connection with Femoral Fatale, as the press nick-named her, is normal in his mind.”

“Yeah, he seems like a pompous bastard.”

“I’m sure some women find him attractive.”

I pull her in toward me looking down on her as she looks up at me. “Are you trying to make me jealous, woman?”

“Of course. You know I love it when you go all caveman on me. It’s sexy.”

“Yeah, well, I think every damn thing about you is sexy,” I whisper as I slide my hands inside the back of her jeans and panties, and rub my hands over her silky ass cheeks and giving them a squeeze. God damn, but my woman is beautifully made. I slide my hands back out and smack her ass.
Focus, Thorn.
“Concerning your boss, he better stay away from my woman.”

“See…you’re possessive.”

“I already know that. On another note, want to help me crack a case? Grand theft.”

“What are they stealing?”

“Very high-end cars and you are just the classy lady to lure them out into the open.”

“Oh, I get it; you’re using me as bait.”

“Correction; Cash and I are using you and Johnnie Bayne as bait.”

Dr. Brinkley

“No, Daddy, please, I promise I’ll be good.”

“You little bastard, you’re spawned of the devil, always up to no good. The Bible says spare the rod, spoil the child. I’ll beat the devil out of you if I have to. What are doing looking in women’s windows? That woman says you follow her everywhere. Always sneaking around like a little pervert. You’re just like your dead mother—crazy. Damn her, killing herself and leaving me here with her demon child.”

The release being slammed shut on the attic door lets me know I am finally alone and away from the brutal hand of the man I call Daddy. He hates me. He’s convinced I’m crazy just like my mother was. Will I end up doing the same thing she did? She probably killed herself to get away from him.

Someday I’m going to kill him and I’m going to get away with it, too. If I’m crazy, I’m going to put it to good use.

Windy

“Well it’s great to meet you, Johnnie, but it’s even better to know they’re sending the resident badass with me on this job,” I say as I meet Cash’s woman, Johnnie.

I can’t help but notice how different she and Cash are. He’s always dressed in a suit and looks like he walked off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine and she looks like a sexy tomboy. Though she dresses like a tomboy it doesn’t hinder her looks at all; it actually adds some serious sex appeal and she wears it well. I can see how Cash became so obsessed with her. I’m sure between her looks and her being emotionally inaccessible, that was all it took for the man who runs
Undercover Elite
to be smitten. He seems like a guy who likes a challenge. One thing is for sure: once these guys set their sights on something, they don’t give up until they’ve accomplished it.

“I think it’s a smart idea. I get to be the uptight rich bitch and you can woo him by being sweet,” Johnnie says with a grin. The twinkle in her eye has me wondering if I’m getting into more than I bargained for.

We make our way into a neighborhood located in the Preston Highway and Outer Loop area and park on the street. Johnnie drives the black SUV that seems to be standard for the
Undercover Elite
team; Johnnie’s is a decked-out Cadillac Escalade with all the bells and whistles. The garage in front of us has a beautiful Virgin of Guadalupe mural on the side of it. Latin music blares through the large speakers. A man looks up from under the hood of a car he’s working on and wipes his hands on the rag hanging from his khaki pants. The tattoos on his neck and hands refer to the gang he is no doubt part of.

“What can I help you fine chicas with?”

“I’m looking to upgrade,” Johnnie answers, nodding toward her ride.

“Don’t sell cars; just work on ‘em.”

“That’s not the word on the street.”
Man, Johnnie has this rich bitch thing
down
.

The snarl on his face clearly lets me know he isn’t happy with the fact somebody in his crew has been running their mouth.

“Look, lady, I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but your information is wrong. Now if you aren’t bringing that tricked out ride of yours in to be worked on, then this conversation is over.”

I wait until we get back in the vehicle to speak. “Well…that went well.”

Thorn

“I wonder what your gangbanger buddies would think if they knew you were providing us with information?” I ask the thug sitting in front of me.

“I haven’t told you a damn thing.”

Poor kid looks like he’s going to piss on himself at even the threat of getting on the gang’s bad side.

Harley uses the opportunity to our advantage. “You should probably start talking then. Unless you want me to drop by Casa Crack for a visit and tell them all about your loose lips.”

“Look man, I can’t go to jail. I’ve got a baby on the way and it’s taking every dime I make to pay the bills. It’s the only reason I ever started helping those guys.”

“The only way out is for you to put these guys behind bars.”

“I know, you’re right, you’re right. See, they operate out of a garage in the Outer Loop area, near Preston highway.”

My hand is around his neck and squeezing before he realizes what’s happened. He’s trying to take us for a goddamn ride; I already know they work out of that garage. I also know that isn’t the location they’re running the cars and parts through.
Fucker
. The pressure I’m putting around his throat is telling him what my words aren’t -- that he’s full of shit.

“Okay, okay, man! I’ll tell you! Th-th-they have a w-warehouse,” he claws at my hand as he gasps for the air that I’m not letting him have. “It’s out on R-r-river Road. There’s a boat dock. They use a b-b-barge to take the cars to Indiana. They get the cars out of the immediate area, it keeps the heat off of them.”

I release his neck and he slumps to the floor, struggling to breathe and looking like he might puke. I step away just in case. I may not be a sharp dresser like Cash, but I like these shoes. “Now see, that wasn’t so hard, now was it?”

He’s still rubbing his neck as we leave to go check out the area he’s given us. This car theft ring has been making some serious money and the man who has hired us is going to be very pleased -- because he’s the man who owns the parking garages that the group has been targeting. It isn’t just money the man is losing; it’s also his reputation. Nobody wants to park their high dollar vehicle in a garage where they might not get it back.