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Face
I left it up to Cuba and Evvie to ensure the bikers left our home. Star would make sure the door was locked up tighter than tight. They would not get back in unless we let them in or they blew the door up, as War had threatened they would do. And even then they wouldn’t get in because the blast would set off the explosives embedded in the walls to implode the tunnel.
I didn’t care. Not now. I had way more important shit to worry about.
Kid Warne might think he was clever but I was way ahead of him. I had looked at our problem from all sides as I had been taught to do by bloody Murchison himself. And I was very aware of the possible outcomes of this horror of a job. All of them leading directly to my door except one. And that one option was so risky, so very, very risky. But it was all I had. I had to risk it all in the hopes of winning it all.
I knew without a doubt that the Iron Dogz was going to use us to get to Winifred, Murchison and Kolinic. And once they had them we would be left holding the bag because it would be my crew and I who handed them the information that lured them into a trap. The Syndicate would retaliate and we would be first in line to receive retribution.
I had personal experience of how the Syndicate treated those they felt has disappointed or betrayed them.
Running up to my room I closed the trapdoor letting the girls know I wanted to be alone. The curtains over the floor to ceiling windows were open and I unlocked and slid the doors open, letting the cool and faintly brine scented breeze in. I needed to breathe in the fresh air before I did what I had to do. I couldn’t delay a minute longer. Sliding my cupboard doors open I moved the hangers to the side and slid open the hidden panel. Taking a deep breath I pulled out the emergency phone and sent the message.
Great Whites are breaching. Perfect day for taking photos.
I undressed and quickly pulled on black jeans and a black button up shirt with long sleeves to hide my tattoos. Sitting on the floor I pulled on black tactical boots. Slipping the phone into the top pocket of my shirt I stood and slid the panel closed. Listening for the soft click as it locked I moved the hangers back into the exact positions they were in before. The clothes on those hangers were for show only, they were never worn.
Going into my bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed. The steps I was about to take were going to put me firmly into opposition with the biker clubs but it couldn’t be helped. Just like them I had an obligation to protect my family.
The phone vibrated against my chest and I quickly pulled it free.
G & M Technologies. Thirty minutes.
Shit! It didn’t give me much time to get to Houtbay. Sliding it back into my pocket I drew in a deep breath, walked out the bathroom, closed my doors and drew the curtains then left the way I had come in.
My crew were waiting for me when I reached the ground floor.
“What’s going on?” Cuba asked with a concerned frown.
“I have an errand to run. G & M Technologies. Mads will drive me, the rest of you check over our equipment and decide what we’re going to need to infiltrate the biker compound. Then find us a way to survive in case we’re compromised. We can’t be sure the bikers won’t throw us to the vultures once we’ve served our purpose. I’d rather have a plan B in case plan A goes to shit.” My explanation didn’t please them but they gave in none the less.
“I’m coming with you.” Cuba growled.
“No, I need you here, I trust you to take care of everyone while I’m gone. We won’t be long, I promise.”
“You’re such an ass leaving me behind. And just saying, you never leave this building without at least two guns and a knife on your person. As far as I can see you don’t have a single weapon on you. I can’t let you leave knowing you’ll be a sitting duck if those fuckers outside the gates decide to take you.”
I sighed. “Fine. I’ll take my weapons if it will make you feel better.”
“Good.” She handed me a small duffle and I shook my head.
“Bitch, you had this with you all along.” I said as I slung it over my shoulder. It was damned heavy for being so small.
“I know you, Face. Spent ten years breathing your farts in a small cell. There’s nothing you can hide from me. Nothing. Now get out of here and go have a chat to our main guy.” She winked. “And give him a hug from me. And please, put us all out of our misery and touch his butt already! You know you want to!” She shouted after me as Mads and I walked through the steel security door into the garage.
I gave her middle fingers as I walked out and shook my head as Mads giggled. The smile on my face might have been lopsided but it was there. And my heart felt just a little bit lighter.
Sliding into the passenger seat I shrugged into the racing seatbelt and clicked it closed then looked over at Mads and winked.
“We’re going to have more than one tail. Lose them all.” I tapped the dash in front of me and it slid away to reveal a split screen on which I had a clear view in front and behind the car. As the navigator it was my job to keep Mads informed of the route, obstacles in our way and any tails on our ass. I tapped another button and Star’s voice filled the car.
“I have your backs, girls. When you drive out take it slow as if you don’t care that they’re following. There are a lot of bikers out in their forecourt playing with their bikes. A few are in the road racing against each other. Because of that obstacle I suggest you drive right into the thick of it to lose the Syndicate bastards who’ll be following you. No way those bikers are going to let them through. We’ll deal with the bikers who jump on your tail later.”
Mads turned into the professional she was and started the car. A deep rumble filled the garage as we waited for the go ahead from Star. It was one of the fastest cars we owned and was black with glittering blue flecks in the paint that could only be seen under light or in sunlight. Several coats of clear lacquer made her shine like a black star.
“Don’t scratch my car, Mads.” I mumbled as I opened the duffle and started loading up with weapons. The only answer I got was a low giggle.
“Mission is a go. Huston we have lift off in, three, two, one, Go!” Star giggled as she remotely opened the garage doors then the front gate.
The big engine roared as we flew out of the garage and then through the gate that slid shut behind us. Mads had a smile on her face as we flew towards where the bikers had now pulled to the side of the road to watch us pass. We slowed as we passed them and they pulled into the street behind us blocking the road and forcing the goons who had been following us to slow down before coming to a complete stop.
Two bikes fell in behind us and Mads gave a crazy little giggle as she held her fist out to me for a fist bump. I quickly complied because we had all learned the hard way not to leave her hanging. I did not want her to drive with her knees and change gears with her free hand with no hands on the wheel. Nope, not going to chance that one while in traffic.
“You’ve got green for the next two robots before we hit the city traffic. Bikes are a whole lot quicker than cars so you’re going to have to be creative, Mads.” Star advised.
“I’ve got this. I’m going to take us on a drive along the seafront then over Chapman’s Peak Drive before dumping them around Noordhoek somewhere. It’s close enough to our destination that we’ll make it in time. We’ll see how it plays out.” Mads said and I immediately found us the most viable route through the city. It was Saturday and damned busy so we hit the suburbs to avoid the main routes. That is until we hit Sea Point. Thank heavens for the threatening rain and the gusting wind because it kept most people at home and the road wasn’t as clogged with traffic as usual. It was still damned busy though.
As we drove the car drew attention, as it always did, and we ignored it, like we always did.
We still had the bikers on our asses. They were sticking fairly close but not too close. We had the windows open as we zoomed over Chapman’s Peak and I stared out at the blue-grey white capped ocean and enjoyed the cool salt air. As far as I was concerned I lived in the most beautiful place in the world. Mountains at my back and the ocean in front of me. Perfect. Living with my best friends made that perfection even better.
“It’s rough out there today.” Mads groaned as she glanced at the large white capped swells before looking back at the twisty road. “People are going to be hurling.”
She wasn’t wrong. But we had to do what we had to do.
We had to get rid of the scourge that has been dirtying our city and our country for more years than I cared to think about. I wasn’t stupid, I knew if we cut off the head of the monster others would rise up to take its place but it would take them a while to organise. And that is what Dom and I counted on.
The time it would take them to find a replacement for the granny-fuck and Murchison.
Mads speaking pulled me out of my head and back into the present.
“I’m going to have to get creative as we hit the streets.”
“As long as you don’t scratch her you can do whatever you want.” I concentrated on the screen and read off the instructions from Star as we shot down a hill and skidded through an orange robot right before it turned red.
The bikes stayed close until we zipped around a corner, turned left down an alley and immediately turned sharply right into a warehouse and zoomed out of the open door on the other side. The doors shut behind us immediately. Dom’s people lending us a helping hand to cut the bikers off.
Mads took us through several side streets, then a couple of suburban streets before we headed to Houtbay harbour. I kept my eyes on the screen and scanned for the bikers. Nothing.
The door of a large boathouse opened as we approached and Mads parked next to the black Porche and turned off the engine. For a few seconds all we could hear was the ticking of the hot engine but we didn’t have a lot of time to waste and had to move. I got out, grabbing the duffle and made my way to the back of the car. Mads opened the boot and threw a black hip length jacket to me and took out her own as I dropped the duffle in. It was going to be cold out at sea. We quickly pulled the jackets on and I pulled a knit cap over my hair and down over my forehead before slipping on big dark glasses. My scars were disguised as much as was possible without going to extra trouble. I didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to my face as it wasn’t a face you would forget once you’ve seen it.
Walking out the side door we speed walked to the dock where an excursion boat was taking on passengers. We were going on a damned excursion to Duiker Island to check out the seals as our cover and by the state of the ocean the trip was going to be rough. Flashing our passes we boarded and I immediately moved to the front of the boat where I knew Dom would be waiting. We had met like this before. Gideon who had been leaning against the railing next to him moved and gave up his space for me. Dom threw an arm around me and pulled me close.
“Any problems getting here?” He asked softly.
To outsiders it probably looked like he was whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
“Had them on our tails until we hit the warehouse and they were cut off. We made sure they weren’t following before we pulled into the boathouse.”
He nodded and looked over his shoulder. I did as well and saw Mads and Gideon standing next to each other like old friends chatting. Their eyes scanned the harbour and the passengers constantly.
The deck started vibrating under our feet as the engines kicked in and the boat pulled away from the dockside. I loved sailing and being out on the open ocean feeling the spray on my face and the wind in my hair was unlike anything else on this earth. It is one of the reasons I didn’t move away from Cape Town when I got out of prison. I suppose I could have moved to another city next to the ocean but this was home. Another reason was my friends and the friendship of the man standing next to me with his arm around my shoulders.
He had reached out through his connections while I had been in prison and we had forged a strong bond due to our mutual enemy. The Syndicate. And we have been working to take them down ever since.
As the boat left the protection of the harbour the fun started. The prow of the wide boat slammed into the heavy swells and spray shot high into the air before sifting down over us. Very soon a lot of the passengers had retreated into the big viewing cabin where they could stay dry and use the bathrooms to hurl their little hearts out.
Gideon and Mads moved in next to Dom and the four of us stood there revelling in the ride. We were all good sailors and had no problems with the rough seas.
“Let’s get to business before we get to the island and those tourists come pouring out.” Dom turned me so my back was to the rail and his hands were clasped on either side of me.
I didn’t let him wait and told him about the meet and the results. “I have a feeling the bikers are going to use us to get to the two top dogs and then hang us out to dry. I don’t actually blame them because to them their family comes first. But, saying that, I resent the hell out of being used and then fed to the hyenas. I know we’re not ready to take over but we’re going to have to grab this opportunity and make it work for us. It will be the only chance we get if Murchison turns up dead and Winifred points the finger at me. I can’t allow them to move against my crew, Dom.”
Dom’s dark blue eyes searched my eyes before he answered. “You’re right, we’re not ready yet. We can’t allow them to take you girls down; you’re too valuable to me. No one knows what you do for me and I want to keep it that way as long as we can. Murchison gave you three weeks which gives me the same to ensure we’re ready when the time comes, and believe me, we will be ready. I know for a fact she won’t accompany him to where ever the bikers sets their trap for him, she’s too wily. She’s survived several attempts on her life because she doesn’t take any chances or venture very far from her base of operations. The bikers won’t be given the chance to deal with her. She’s mine to deal with, personally.”
Grabbing on to the lapels of his jacket I shook my head. “You can’t. It’s too damned dangerous to go up against her when we’re not sure of our support yet.”
He smiled that beautiful smile of his and his eyes crinkled at the sides. Those crinkles were the result of squinting against the glare off the water when sailing and of course his age. They were damned sexy. A pity he was like a brother and not a lover. Plus he was basically my boss.
“Stop day dreaming about how hot I am and concentrate.” He teased with a smirk and I smacked the back of my hand against his hard abs, he continued as if he hadn’t felt a thing. “I have already moved up the timeline. I anticipated problems with the bikers with what Murchison ordered you to do. The party we had been waiting on reached out and offered support should I desire to take over the reins of the Syndicate in Africa. They’ll lend support on the condition I start dismantling the human trafficking operation when I take over. I had no problem agreeing, seeing as it was my intention to do so from the start. I have one more meet before the trap is set and then Winifred Harrison is going to pay. I will not let her be taken by the bikers, she’s mine and mine alone.”
I nodded in agreement because I knew exactly what she had done to him and his family.
Vengeance for the family he had lost was his and like he said, it was his alone.
“What do I tell the bikers? They’re not going to be satisfied with the little I’ll be able to give them.”
I once again got that beautiful smile. “Leave Hawk Walker to me. I’ve made sure we’re on the same playing field by doing one or two little favours for him.”
There was one more thing I had to tell him. He wasn’t going to like it. At all.
“We have one other leeetle problem. The sperm donor and the granny-fuck have decided I’ll be marrying Alexander once this job is done. I need you to make him disappear because I’m not letting that freak anywhere near me.” I explained quickly because Dom’s face had become like a thundercloud. “And they threatened War’s daughter. I’m not sure, but I don’t think the bikers know he’s a Harrison. And Murchison threatened to teach her a few of his tricks before he sells her. We both know they’ll take her, no matter if I give them what they want or not.”
“They said what?” He snarled and I shrugged and gave him big eyes.
The next minute the rage left his face and his hands were up and cupping my cheeks and a flirty smile graced his mouth. “Okay, I have a plan that will piss them off. Why don’t we give them a little surprise of our own, sweetheart?” He asked then looked around at the passengers who were flooding out on to the deck. “Play along and agree with anything I say or ask.”
I looked around quickly and only then did I realise we had reached the island and were slowly cruising past. Protected from the worst of the swells by the small island. Around us people oohed and aahed as they watched the seals playing in the ocean and basking on the rocks. Dom tapped my cheek and I looked back up at him with a frown.
“What kind of surprise are we talking about?” I had to ask because he was confusing me. Leaning forward he kissed my cheek and as he pulled away he grabbed my hat and sunglasses and handed them to a waiting Gideon. I looked at Mads in confusion as I tried to smooth my wild hair down, she was as confused as I was.
Then he shocked the shit out of me.
Dominick Maingarde, one of the most eligible bachelors in the world, fell onto a knee with a hand over his heart and smiled up at me. My mouth fell open and around me passengers were suddenly not watching the seals they were watching and filming us. Phones were clicking and women were oohing and aahing. Shit!
His voice was sexy and deep and if I had been in love with him, or even just in lust, it would have had me dropping to my knees and begging him to do shit to me right there on the deck of the boat. Damn, right at that moment the man exuded pure sex.
“Noelle, you are the fair winds over the ocean of my heart, the wild wind in my sails. Will you please marry me and sail through life with me, baby?”
Demons were laughing at me in those damned blue eyes as I stood frozen in shock with my mouth hanging open. All I could get out was to whisper ‘what?’ before the passengers started chanting yes, yes, yes.
In confusion I glanced at Gideon and he nodded once before he started clapping with the other passengers. Urging me to say yes.
Looking back at the gorgeous male on one knee in front of me I drew in a deep breath and jumped into the freaking madness he had just thrown me into. What the hell was he planning? But he told me to agree with whatever he asked. So I nodded.
“Yes, yes I’ll marry you.”
The words were scarcely past my lips when he jumped up, grabbed me in his arms and proceeded to kiss me silly. Dear lord the man could kiss. I was wide eyed and breathing fast when he drew back and held a hand out to Gideon.
The small black velvet box he handed Dom had me shaking off the kiss haze and narrowing my eyes at him. That ring box meant he had planned to do this from the start. Why? What hasn’t he told me? What was he planning?
I stood motionless as he slipped the ring on my finger then raised my hand and kissed the ring and in the process my ring finger. He leant forward and kissed my scars, dragging his lips down them until he got down to my mouth were he dropped a soft kiss before he lifted his head and winked.
Dear heavens what he did was so hot, it even got to me and I knew it was fake!
His actions had once again elicited a slew of sighs from the watching crowd.
“This is so romantic, and he’s so hot.” I heard one woman whisper to her friend.
“Oh my God, she’s so lucky.” Another virtually moaned.
“Did you see her scars and he doesn’t care. He kissed them. They are so beautiful and look so good together.” One old lady gushed. “They are going to make the most beautiful babies.” She declared to all who would listen.
Jesus.
“Thank you, Noelle. I promise you won’t regret this.” He whispered against the side of my head.
My gut clenched as I realised what it meant to be engaged to Dominick Maingarde (even though it was fake), one of the most eligible and richest, bachelors in the world.
Shitballs.
It meant we would be put under a microscope and my sordid past was going to be dragged out into the open. I gave a small smile when I realised it was going to make Murchison and Winifred squirm when the details of my case became public knowledge. Which it would, and the glaring holes in the State’s case was going to be revealed to the world. Nice!
Rats were going to be scurrying to abandon the sinking ship, soon. The man in front of me was so damned devious. He had planned to do this even before the bikers got involved.
Dom hugging me close brought me back to the present. We were surrounded by strangers wishing us well and wanting to know our names which bloody Gideon supplied along with the little titbit that Dom was from a prominent Cape Town family and so was I. I almost snorted when I heard that one. Murchison, from a prominent family, please, what bullshit.
We posed for more photos and I hid the scarred side of my face against his shoulder most of the time. I knew that by the time the damned boat docked the media was going to be swarming all over it. Social media had to be going crazy with the news.
“How the hell are we going to get off this boat without the media swarming us?”
Dom smiled. “We’ll get off before they dock. I have a boat standing by to pick us up as soon as we reach calmer waters inside the harbour. Thank fuck you’re a good sailor otherwise I would have had to throw you overboard into the waiting boat.” He teased.
We stayed on the deck as the boat completed the excursion and the over excited tourists watched as we transferred to one of Dom’s fancy boats. They crowded the railings taking photos and waving wildly as we pulled away and raced towards the other side of the harbour.
“Jesus, I didn’t expect this shit at all.” Mads said as she flopped into the seat next to me.
‘Neither did I. He gave me no warning except to say I had to agree to anything he asked. I thought it was going to be something easy. Not this.” As I said ‘this’ I lifted my hand and the enormous diamond ring was bathed in sunlight and sparkled wildly. I wasn’t the only one who stared at it in awestruck silence.
“That is some serious bling, Face.” Mads bent closer to inspect the rock on my finger.
“You’re not wrong and that rock is going to get me some serious attention that I do not want.”
I had scarcely finished the sentence when my phone started ringing and vibrating in the inside pocket of my jacket. I slipped it out and grimaced when I saw it was Star. Looking at Mads I shrugged, sighed and answered.
I didn’t get a chance to say a word because several screams came through the speaker, no words, just screams. Before those bitches got too excited and broke out the good champers I had to calm them down.
“It’s not real. Calm the hell down and listen to me!” I shouted and waited until their excitement calmed down to a manageable level.
“It’s not real. We’re using it as a smokescreen to confuse the enemy. No one is going to lift a hand against Dominick Maingarde’s woman. The bikers won’t and neither will the Syndicate. At least not at first. In the meantime this stays between us, no one else needs to know it isn’t real.”
“Damn.” Cuba sighed. “I was hoping to find out if he’s as good in bed as he looks. What was that kiss like? It looked fucking hot, girl, let me tell you.”
I did not want to discuss the kiss, nope, not at all.
“We are pulling up to the dock. I’ll talk to you when we get home. Keep an eye on Murchison’s goons. I don’t know how he’s going to react to the news. Be ready.” I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket then stood as two of Dom’s men caught the ropes Gideon tossed them and tied the boat up. Dom came over, took my hand and helped me onto the dock while Gideon stood guard. One of the men helped Mads out and then we were swiftly led to where our cars stood waiting. I had no idea how they managed to get our car moved over here, but they did.
“You’re with me, Noey. Gideon is riding with Mads.” When I wanted to argue he shook his head. “We have eyes on us and we’ve been playing the game since the minute I slid that ring on your finger. You’re my woman until we end them, understood?”
That explained his use of my family nickname. I gave him a quick nod and curled my fingers around his as he led me to his car and helped me in.
In the wing mirror I noticed two bikers following us. They were three cars behind and stayed there until we turned into our road. They pulled up right behind Mads and stayed there until they turned off and into their compound. There were several eyes on us as we drove past but I ignored them and kept a look out for Murchison’s men. They were too easy to spot.
Our gates opened and I directed Dom to the front door while Mads drove right into the garage.
“I’m not leaving tonight, Face, so I might as well park in the garage.” Dom grinned at me.
“And I want them to see you take your bag out of the car and come inside. Mads will move your car into the garage later.”
“You’re a sly woman, fiancée mine, a very sly woman.”
“I try, dear, I try.” I teased as I opened the door, I was about to get out when his hand on my arm stopped me. “Wait until I get to you before you get out.”
For the first time in my life I sat in a car and waited for a man to help me out of it. It felt strange and so very weird. He opened my door, held out a hand and I took it as I got out of the car. He didn’t let go as he closed the door then led me inside.
My girls stood in a semi-circle as we came in and cheered. “This calls for a glass or two of champers and we have just the thing upstairs.” Evvie said and with a bow directed us to the stairs that would take us up to our living area.
Dom hadn’t been inside the building since it was finished and he looked around with interest.
“Would you like a quick tour?” I asked and when he nodded I did just that, took him on a quick tour.
I showed him the guest apartment and our living areas before leading him up to the next floor.
“This floor is where everyone has their bedrooms but mine is up on the roof.” I glanced at him and he grinned.
“Show me.” He waved a hand for me to go ahead.
Ignoring the stairs leading up to the roof I used the inside staircase to take him up. He gave a soft hmm as I ran up in front of him and drew open the curtains to let some light into my room.
“Wow, babe, this is damned perfect.” He said as he shrugged out of his jacket, dropped it on my bed and started exploring.
I stood to the side and watched as he checked out the large room and bathroom before stepping through the doors onto the outside living area.
His eyes zeroed in on the building next door and he growled. “No windows overlooking your room but they have cameras on you. I don’t like it. I’ll have a talk with War about that.”
I smiled and shook my head. Men.
I didn’t really belong to him and he was getting all territorial.
Typical alpha male behaviour.
