Hot Witness: A MacKenzie Family Novella Read online

  “You don’t know that.”

  “I do.” Because the MacKenzies would also be working with the Hostile Operations Team. Not that he could tell her that, of course, but what the MacKenzies couldn’t find, HOT could, because it had the kind of access few organizations could boast. Hell, the president’s son-in-law was HOT. Shit got done when HOT got involved.

  Her eyes were glittering. “Where were you when Heather was killed? Did you see him hit her? Threaten her?”

  His gut was a knot of anger and guilt. But he wouldn’t lie to her. “Yeah, I saw him slap her around sometimes. I’m not proud of that, but I was eighteen and that’s how it worked in the Brothers. Old ladies knew their place—and when they got out of line, they got knocked back into it.”

  A lone tear slid down her cheek and his heart twisted in sympathy. “That’s fucking disgusting.”

  “It is. But I’m sure you’ve seen your share since you’ve been here.”

  “A little.”

  “I was in jail when your sister disappeared. Breaking and entering. Theft should have been on there too, but my attorney got that one thrown out. And then I met Judge Mason and everything changed.” Jake sucked in a breath. “He saw something in me, I guess. He saved my life. I couldn’t save your sister—but I’m damn sure gonna save you.”

  She sniffed and crossed her arms. “So what’s the deal? You just think we’re gonna stroll out of here or what? You know that won’t happen. You know the Brothers won’t let it. You just came back. They might have welcomed you home with open arms, but they won’t let you leave without someone shadowing your every move. Brandon may play nice with you, but he doesn’t trust you, I promise you that.”

  “I know he doesn’t. So when we break out of here, it’s for real. No strolling, no joyriding. We’re going through the fence, and we’re going tonight.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re crazy! Even if I agreed to go, how do you expect us to get away with that? There’s nothing but woods out there for miles. Besides, I won’t leave my machines and my portfolio.”

  “Are they worth your life?”

  She swallowed. “No, of course not. All I’m saying is I don’t think this is the way.”

  “You got a better plan?”

  She didn’t answer, and he nodded. “Then we go tonight, and you can leave the machines. They’re replaceable.”

  “I’m not ready to leave just yet.”

  “Judge Mason is hanging on by a thread. If he dies, the FBI is storming this place—and when they do, Brandon’s gonna know someone betrayed him. Who do you think he’s going to blame?”

  Her lip quivered. “You’re the new guy. You tell me.”

  He snorted. “Nice try, Eva, but it’s gonna be you. I’m not the one who was here when they were still making plans. They’ll question him, but without real evidence to go on, they’ll have to let him go. And when they do, he’s going to be tying up the loose ends. You feeling me?”

  “Yes.” The word was clipped, but she got the point he was making.

  “Good. Now you planning to do anything about this tattoo or what? If I walk out of here with no work done for the third time, Brandon’s gonna start asking questions.”

  She rose and went over to get her drawing. “This is what I planned,” she said, turning it toward him. She’d completely redrawn the Brothers of Sin. He’d told her no skulls, but of course she hadn’t listened. The skull fit the logo and would help cover up the worst of the old lines on the tattoo.

  “Fine. But only if you add a rose.”

  She blinked. “What for?”

  “For you.”

  She shook her head. It wasn’t a shake of denial so much as a gesture of disbelief. “You’re crazy.”

  “Sometimes. But if I’ve gotta wear this tattoo that reminds me of when I was a fucking piece of shit, I want some of you in it.” He looked pointedly at the roses on her sleeves. Clearly, she liked roses.

  She reached for her pen and set the page down on her drafting table. Her fingers trembled as she hovered over the drawing—and then she touched the pen to paper and all traces of her agitation seemed to disappear.

  “I’d have never thought you’d end up as a tattoo artist,” he said softly after they hadn’t spoken for a few moments. “Not at all the vibe you gave in high school.”

  She snorted. “No, I wanted to be an interior designer. But that was before Heather died.”

  He couldn’t help but be astonished over her transformation from the shy girl in high school to a sexy, tattooed ballbuster. This woman didn’t take shit from anyone.

  “You did all of this to get close to the Brothers. You changed everything about yourself, and you covered your body in ink.”

  She shrugged. “You do what you have to in war, right?”

  He felt the truth of that comment all the way to his core. “Yeah, you do.”

  She held up the paper. “How’s this?”

  His gaze slipped over it, but what really drew him was her. Her blue eyes, the brown hair with golden tips, and the dark lipstick and eyeliner. Her jaw was angular and slightly prominent, but it didn’t detract from her beauty. She looked cool and determined, and his admiration for her notched up.

  “Beautiful,” he said. But he wasn’t talking about the tattoo.

  CHAPTER SIX

  It was dark by the time Eva was finished tattooing for the day. She glanced at her phone. It was only seven o’clock. She hadn’t heard from Jake since she’d finished working on him earlier.

  He hadn’t said another word about his plan because several of the Brothers had come into the shop and hung out shortly after she’d started working on him. She’d pretended not to care, but her heart had pounded for hours. She didn’t want to leave because she hadn’t accomplished her goal of putting a stop to the Brothers of Sin once and for all.

  But maybe the hit on Judge Mason was enough. Maybe Jake was right and these MacKenzies would find the evidence tying them to the crime. And what if her testimony was the final nail in the coffin of the case? Didn’t she owe it to Heather to go with Jake, even if she hadn’t managed to take down Brandon personally?

  Eva scrubbed her hands through her hair in frustration. God, she didn’t know what to do. Go with Jake and ruin all her preparation or stay here and take a chance that she could get something more?

  She thought of some of the tattoos she’d done today. One of the Brothers came in to have the name of his new baby inked beneath the other names he carried on his skin and another had wanted a swastika. Geez, the contrasts in these people.

  It wasn’t a surprise in some ways. Everyone was different and even racist criminal assholes had feelings. Too bad those tender feelings didn’t extend to all of humankind. The world would be a better place if everyone stopped hating everyone different from them.

  The door to her shop burst open and she turned. Brandon Cox looked meaner than usual today and her heart rate kicked up. She hadn’t seen him all day, which she counted as a blessing, but he was never far from her mind.

  “Here’s how it’s gonna be, Eva,” he said, strutting into the confines of her shop. “I’m tired of you being a prissy bitch. You’re gonna spread those pretty legs for me whenever and wherever I want you to. You’re gonna suck my dick, and you’re gonna be happy about it. No more fucking around. No more focusing on your art bullshit. You can fuck and tattoo, and I’m done waiting for you to figure that out.”

  Her heart hammered as fear and revulsion slid through her. She backed herself against the wall, near her drafting table, frantically trying to think of what to do next.

  “You have an old lady, Brandon. You don’t want me. I’m nothing compared to her.”

  He snorted. “That’s the thing, baby—Tiffany’s gone. Walked right on out of here this morning like her shit don’t stink. She ain’t coming back.”

  Oh God. Eva darted her tongue over her lips. Had Tiffany really walked out? Or was she buried in the woods somewhere like Heather had been?


  Don’t go there.

  She couldn’t think about that. Just absolutely couldn’t. Brandon lunged for her. The overpowering smell of whisky wafted from him as she dodged and put her chair between them.

  “You don’t want to do this, Brandon.”

  “Damn sure do.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  “Not so drunk I can’t get it up. Now come here, baby, and give me a kiss.”

  He made to grab her and she dodged left—but then he changed course, his strong hand wrapping around her upper arm. She threw herself backwards, knocking him off balance just enough to get away. She crashed into her drafting table—then scrambled frantically for her gun. Her fingers closed over the grip just as Brandon wrapped a fist in her hair and yanked.

  Eva screamed as the pistol slipped from her fingers and Brandon backhanded her. The momentum knocked her toward the table again and this time she scrambled with both hands to get a hold of her weapon. She spun, raising her gun high as she did so. She was shaking like a leaf, but no way would she miss if she had to pull the trigger. No way.

  Brandon staggered to a halt. His face clouded with fury. “Put that fucking thing down, Eva.”

  Elation washed through her. She finally had Brandon at the end of her weapon, and it felt good. Damn good. “Not happening, asshole. You come near me and I’ll shoot.”

  “Shoot me and your life is over. You got that, bitch?”

  She held the gun tightly. “Yes, I understand. But maybe it’s worth it to me. You ever think of that?”

  “Jesus, you are one crazy bitch. Think that pussy is made of gold or something?”

  “No, but I think it’s mine. I get to decide who I share my body with, not you.”

  Brandon smirked. “Here’s how it’s gonna go. I’ll walk out of here, but this ain’t over. You can count on that, babe.”

  The door jerked open and Jake loomed in the entry. His gaze shot to her and then over Brandon. Brandon turned sideways, darting looks between her and Jake.

  “You believe this crazy bitch? Thinks she’s gonna shoot me.”

  Jake held up both his hands, as if she were aiming at him too. And maybe she was, because he was in the line of sight. But she couldn’t put the pistol down. No way.

  “Why don’t we walk out of here, boss? Leave her to herself for a while.”

  Brandon shoved a hand through his hair. “Yeah, maybe so.”

  He turned toward Jake and Eva let out a shaky sigh of relief as he took a step. She lowered the gun—and then Brandon turned and lunged for her, the crazed look on his face screaming for her blood.

  She brought the gun up and fired—and Brandon dropped. He roared, clutching his arm and writhing on the floor. Jake leapt on him and knocked him out with a blow, then jumped up and grabbed her hand—but not before disarming her and tucking her weapon into his jeans.

  “We have to go, Eva. Right fucking now.”

  This was not how he’d intended to do this. Jake hauled Eva out the door and into the yard as the Brothers poured out of the main building in the compound. The gun going off had been loud but they hadn’t yet realized where it was or who’d been shot. Jake hoped they would stay confused for a few more minutes.

  He yanked Eva around the side of the building and down through the darkened alleyway. She didn’t fight him—why would she?—and he picked up the pace. They had to reach his bike, and then they had to bust out of this compound before the rest of the Brothers could organize themselves and figure out what was going on.

  When they reached where he’d parked behind one of the buildings, he climbed onto the bike and urged her up behind him. Then he began walking the motorcycle toward the fence. No need to start it until the last second. He’d been intending to cut through the wire at a different location, but he’d also tested the wood and found it was weak in spots. He just had to allow enough room to start the bike and gain the momentum to crash through.

  He could hear the roar of confusion and anger out front, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before they discovered Brandon knocked out cold and bleeding from a wound to the arm. All hell was going to break loose when they did.

  “Hang on,” he muttered to Eva.

  She clung tightly to him, her scent a lovely cloud of sweetness surrounding him. With a twist of the key, he started the bike. Harleys weren’t quiet, but the Brothers were shouting loudly enough in the front yard that they wouldn’t hear this one until he revved it and shot for the fence.

  “Hey! Who is that? Where are you going?”

  Jake didn’t bother to look at who was yelling. Instead, he twisted the throttle and the motorcycle raced toward the fence like it had been launched from a slingshot.

  Eva screamed as they hit. The fence splintered with a thundering crack and then they were through, racing through a field before they could reach the road about a half a mile away. He prayed there was nothing to stop their progress because if they got stuck in the field they were sitting ducks.

  Behind him, he could hear the cacophony of dozens of motorcycles revving up. The Brothers were going out the front gate, but it wouldn’t take them long to reach the road running parallel to the compound. He couldn’t risk running without lights, not yet anyway, so they could currently see where he was headed. Once out of this field, he’d take countermeasures.

  They bounced over a small hillock and the bike went airborne. Eva’s grip on him tightened, her body plastering against his as they sailed through the air and hit the ground again hard. And then they were nearing the road and he was turning hard right, the gravel on the roadside spraying the field and road behind them as he hit the throttle. Once on pavement, the ride smoothed out.

  When he cut the lights, Eva cried out. But there was no choice. He still knew this road like the back of his hand since he’d ridden it a lot as an angry teenager. Provided they didn’t hit a deer, they’d be okay. He hoped.

  It was impossible to hear anything over the rush of the wind and the sound of the pipes, but he wasn’t taking anything for granted. So far as he was concerned, the Brothers were right behind him.

  He’d memorized the coordinates for the safe house, but he couldn’t go straight there. First he had to confuse the enemy. It would take some time but it had to be done.

  “Turn the lights on,” Eva shouted in his ear. “Are you crazy?”

  “No chance,” he yelled back to her.

  Her grip on him tightened as they raced through the night, but she didn’t say anything else. When he hit the town limits, he turned the lights on again. He had no doubt they were still being pursued, but the Brothers were a few miles behind.

  He spent quite a bit of time winding down side roads and tracking toward the safe house in a roundabout way. It was a couple of hours before they reached their destination, which was a small ranch house tucked into the woods and hidden from view. He’d ridden past it and then doubled back by a different route, and that had added onto their time.

  Once, they’d come close to the Brothers. He’d pulled into a driveway and shut off the engine and lights when a group of motorcycles roared by. After they’d disappeared, Jake had carefully eased onto the road and headed down a different street.

  There was an outbuilding where he parked the motorcycle. Once he shut it off and everything was quiet, he could hear Eva breathing.

  “You okay?”

  She snorted. “No. Hell, no. Did I kill him?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  She cried out and then her forehead thumped against his back. “Fucking hell,” she moaned. “All of this and he still isn’t dead?”

  “No. But it’s not over, Eva. There’s still Judge Mason and his wife, and you’re the key to taking him down over that one. We will get him. I promise you that.”

  “I hope you do. Because someone has to. He’s gotten away with too much for too long.”

  He held his hand over his shoulder so she could take it and dismount first. “Let’s get inside.”

  She climbed down.
When her feet hit the ground, he swung a leg over and joined her, his entire body still vibrating from the feel of the bike between his legs.

  “I’m hungry,” she said. “I hope there’s food in the house.”

  “There will be.” Jake found the key where Declan had told him it would be and opened the door. He made Eva stand back as he drew his weapon and cleared house. There was no one inside, so he motioned her in. Then he bolted the door behind them and took out his phone so he could report in to the MacKenzies.

  Declan answered on the first ring. When Jake informed him of the situation, the other man blew out a breath. “You made it just in time. Judge Mason died about two hours ago.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Eva stood at the refrigerator, staring inside but not really seeing the food. She was hungry, but she was also sick with worry. Because she’d failed. She’d had Brandon Cox in her sights and she’d failed to kill him. Jake said he wasn’t dead. Maybe Jake was wrong…

  She closed her eyes. No, Jake wasn’t wrong. She’d been scared and she’d aimed poorly. She’d shot Brandon in the arm. If she was lucky, she’d hit an artery and he’d bleed out before anyone could do anything.

  She didn’t think she was that lucky.

  “Hey.”

  She looked up at the man standing beside her, illuminated by the light from the fridge. Her heart skipped and her belly clenched at the sight of him. He was so gorgeous, and so tough. Not her type. Not at all her type…and yet her body reacted. Strongly.

  Her nipples beaded and her skin tingled—and she felt the wetness between her thighs, the aching need there.

  “You okay?” he asked, folding his arms over his chest.

  “I’m…yeah, I’m okay. Just kind of numb, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know.” He tipped his chin toward the fridge. “You find anything in there you want?”

  She turned back to the contents. “I don’t know.”

  He reached past her and grabbed a package of lunchmeat and some cheese. “Here, let’s fix a couple of sandwiches. You get the bread, okay?”