I watch her walk into the bar, before pounding out a text to the guys to keep their eyes on her while I’m gone, wishing they didn’t have to see what I’ve already begun to think of us mine. But I’m the only one who can drive tonight. These bastards are heading our way, and this is the only way to stop the war on this town. Both the Larussios and Lacy are counting on me, and I won’t let either of them down.
I navigate the congested traffic on Main Street as people make their way out of town, tired from a day’s work, or into it to get a bite and have a little fun. The minute I’m clear of the main drag and out on the open highway, I put my foot on the gas and let the modified engine and everything under the hood hum. For miles and miles I drive with one destination on my mind.
The minute I see the rest stop, I pull in and wait. It’s not long before I see Jake’s truck heading this way. Just as the other nights where my team observed him making this trip, he has two black SUVs on his ass protecting product the Chicago family doesn’t want lost and the Larussios don’t want in this town.
I watch the Larussio boys come in from behind in SUVs of their own. Tommy doesn’t leave the dirty work to his soldiers; he pulls right up behind the SUVs and takes the first shot.
One of the vehicles skid off the road as rear tires deflate. The other vehicle zig zags. They know exactly what’s coming. They even get a defensive shot off, but Tommy and his boys are too fast for them. The SUV veers down on them, and one of Tommy’s boys shoots the back window and the tires out. The minute they’re off the road and it’s clear I give chase, because by now Jake Eldridge knows exactly what’s happening and lays the hammer down in his big black truck.
My jaw locks tight because this is going to be Jake’s last night of terror in this town. Every other night he runs the product, gets shit faced, and goes in search of Lacy, tries to find her at her house, at the diner, at the club, and I’ve had to use up a patience reserve that I don’t fucking have with this guy, and IOUs to my friends to keep him in check all week long.
This is his last fucking night that I’m making Lacy hide out from him and his family in a town that belongs to her, and I can guarantee he isn’t going to make it across that line, because I know how to drive.
The powerful engine fueled with more juice than a race car hugs the long windy road as I lay the hammer down. It hums like it was made to chase, easily catching up to Jake Eldridge. I edge him over to the side, closing him off against the bank. He has a choice, hit the dirt and field, or come to a stop and deal with me.
Jake Eldridge isn’t about to mess up the truck that according to my sources is still in Daddy’s name. He pulls to the side. I also know he’s a persistent cuss, and I’m ready for anything he decides to pull, not giving him a second before racing to the driver’s side door of his big black truck.
I grab him by the scruff and drag him to my car, tossing him into the passenger seat before putting cuffs on him and fixing his hands to the door handle on his side. “Where the fuck are you taking me,” he slurs, his voice hoarse from my hand being squeezed around his lousy throat.
I slam the door and go around the other side and get in without answering his question. He glares at me sullenly as I start the car and peel down the highway, making my way to the preplanned meeting spot. The parking lot is full, and his eyes go wide with curiosity. “See all those cars? Those are the people that you and your dad have been trying to blackmail. See those cars over there?” I ask, pointing to the two black town cars and two black Lincoln SUVs.
He shakes his head. “Carlos Larussio and his nephews,” I tell him. “There’s only one thing the Larussios hate as much as traffickers of women, and that’s men who hurt women in any way. And they are much more brutal than the Chicago family your father has been working for.”
I let that sink in while I walk around the car to get him out. “You see, while you’ve been drinking and trying to get the best of Lacy, they’ve negotiated contracts with all of the owners along these roads, ensuring they never sell to you and that they remain under the Larussio crime family protection going forward.”
His face turns beet red as I unlock the handcuffs, pull him from the car, and frog march him toward the building. “What the hell kind of way is that to do business? What sense does that even make?” he screams. “My dad is gonna have your balls, their balls, the whole world’s balls,” he yells in a drunken rage.
I push him against the side of the old metal building. “Your dad is in Vegas right now, living it up, drinking and rolling the dice in the Larussios’ town while they’re here taking over the rest of his. Your contract with the Bernatelli family in Chicago? Consider it finished. They won’t be doing anything for anyone in this town, not while we’re here.”
He kicks out, but I sidestep his ill-placed foot. “We’ll run you and those Larussio Mafia fuckers right out of this town,” he yells.
“Yeah, that’s where you’re wrong. You and your father, you’re the ones who are leaving,” I tell him.
His eyes narrow, but I glare him down. “See, your father and the Bernatellis are getting that message right this very minute. And you, my friend, can go back to your place tonight, sober up, get packed and get the fuck out of our town,” I tell him, swiping an imaginary piece of lint from my black leather jacket before the door to the old meeting hall opens.
The Larussios walk out. Carlos Larussio himself gives me a nod as he, Salvatore, Dominic, and two cousins walk out the door with their soldiers, before getting into their cars and heading toward the highway that will take them to the private airstrip and back to Vegas.
Lacy’s neighbors begin to file out just as my phone rings. They all have smiles on their faces as they talk amongst themselves about the deals they just made with the Larussios, who came to the rescue of their friends the year before too.
Jay, one of the leaders of our bodyguard team, interrupts my thoughts as his voice comes over the line. “I hear it’s been a hell of a night,” he says. “The guys filled me in. I would have come out myself, but Chase and Katarina are on the move, and I’m up in the jet with them. It sounds like the Larussios gave the townspeople one hell of a good agreement.”
I watch as the townsfolks make their way out of the meeting place. “That they did. The deals they made with them are a hell of a lot better than they could have ever made with the Eldridges. The plan the Larussios came up with will allow them to keep their land and homes intact while the town and tourism trade continues to prosper. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
“And for you? You’re decision, you’re certain? You can have any pick of assignments you want after tonight.”
“Thanks, Jay. That means a lot coming from you. I’ve made my decision. I’m positive. I need to catch up to Kenny and Cole but thanks for the call. I’ll see you next time the group gets together?”
He laughs. “Or next time you need help in Deadwood. You guys know you can reach out to the rest of us anytime.”
“Thanks Jay.” I disconnect as Kenny and Cole walk out. I give them both a grin.
“It went exactly as we planned. Kenny smiles. “Did you tell Lacy anything yet?”
“No, I’ll tell her after her shift is over tonight. I’m waiting for confirmation that all the paperwork is finalized and that the payments are set in stone, and back to where they belong,” I tell Kenny.
“Sounds good, Garrett. How about we meet you for breakfast in the morning?”
“I’ll see you there and will bring Lacy. I’ll take care of her tonight,” I tell him, looking at the asshole who’s glaring at me. I gesture to Cole. “You wanna drop him off at his house? Keep one of your guys outside, let him sober up tonight, and then send him on his way tomorrow? I’m sure he’ll be in communication with his dad tonight, and everything will become much clearer to him about his future,” I tell Cole.
Cole takes him by the cuffs, and he and Kenny walk Jake handcuffed back to their vehicle. I get in my car, anxious to get back to the club. Lacy’s just coming on for her last show as I take a seat. She feels the heat of my gaze, and her green eyes fill with emotion as she watches me take in every inch of her beauty.
The entire room fades away as she dances for me, her eyes telling me everything I need to know about what’s going through her mind as she spins around that stage. My kitten only has eyes for me as she prances around with her lovely little tail that soon no one will ever see but me.
The minute Lacy steps off that dance floor, I follow her, catching up to her in the hall before she makes it to the dressing room.
She feels me and turns, her eyes still hazy from our dance. My hands cage her against the wall. “If you didn’t know it before, you’re under my protection now, Lacy.”
Her breath is warm and minty. She looks up at me with eyes that have been connected with mine for the last twenty minutes as she swirled around a room full of people but put on a show just for me.
My mouth captures hers. Lacy’s body softens against me as she purrs with content as I kiss her with a passion that takes our breath away. My hand snakes under her hair, caressing her nape, and pulling her closer. “Let’s go home, kitten. Grab your coat and leave your tail on,” I whisper in her ear.
Her eyes dance with pure unadulterated flames of desire, ones that I fully intend to ignite and have burning beyond her endurance by the end of the night.
She enters the dressing room to grab her things and cover up for the ride home.
When she returns to me, her face is flushed. I kiss her lips and pull her close, guiding her out of the club for the ride home into the hotel entrance and up to the penthouse suite. “Glass of wine?” I ask, setting her bags down before walking to the bar to pour us a drink.
“You don’t know how good that sounds after a day like today,” she says, slipping out of her coat while I open the wine.
Her cheeks are pink, embarrassed by her attire, while my cock throbs against the seam of my pants, anxious to get close to her heat. I bring our glasses to the coffee table and put them down, taking her hand and guiding her to the couch.
Lacy’s eyes are steamy and inviting. I stroke her tail, bringing the fluffy white fur around and trailing it across the tops of her breasts which are covered with nothing but the pasty circles she had on for the show. She shivers as the softness caresses the swell of her breasts, and trails down her belly and plays with her center.
The tells of her desire make my cock throb. But Lacy is well worth the wait, and I don’t plan to rush this a bit. “Drink your wine,” I tell her, watching as she takes a sip, and her cheeks color again. I let her have a few sips and get more comfortable before I broach the subject of her situation. “While you were dancing tonight, Kenny, Cole, and I and some of the Larussios took care of your problem. The Larussios made an agreement with the townspeople who the Eldridges were threatening. Let’s just say that Jake and his dad have decided to move out of town and won’t be a problem going forward.”
Lacy gasps. It takes a second before what I’ve said sinks in, and then she throws her arms around me. “I can’t believe it! Thank you so much!” She pulls back after a brief moment, and her lovely face falls. “Wait, what about me, though? Cleary, I wasn’t there. I didn’t get an agreement?” she asks.
I smile. “You will get yours in the morning with Kenny. He’ll go over the same arrangement they made with the others. You sign a contract not to sell unless you give the Larussios first right to buy. In exchange, they give you protection and agree to ten percent more than the high end of the market if you do decide to sell.”
She doesn’t say a word for a moment, just quietly soaks it in while I’m rewarded for my efforts with a bright smile that I fully intend to wake up to each and every morning from here on out.
“In addition, Cole has purchased the assisted living center. Your father’s monthly payments will go back to what they were when you put him in his current apartment before they raised it the first time.”
She gasps. “I can’t believe it!”
I can’t help but smile. “You said that. There’s something more. Cole wants to hire you to manage the assisted living center. It would give you a chance to be by your dad, and I have it on good authority that the pay is very good. You’re a shoe in for the job, and the contract would come with free room and board for your father as part of the package. That’s only if you’re interested though, Lacy.”
Her eyes glisten. “I can’t thank you and Cole enough. We have to celebrate. I’m going to drink some more wine.” Her voice lowers seductively. “Celebrate with me tonight. I don’t want to waste one minute of the time we have left together,” she says.
I push a strand of hair that’s fallen over her face behind one ear. “I’m not going anywhere, Lacy. Deadwood seems to have everything I’m looking for right here.”
Her eyes go wide, and she swallows her wine before speaking. “You’re staying?”
I grin, taking her glass from her and placing it on the table before picking Lacy up from her seat on the couch and placing her in my lap. “There will be twice the people in Deadwood with Larussio contracts. That means double the work for Cole, and an opening for me. I have some special talents that may be needed to keep the Chicago boys out of town long term.”
Her eyes grow wide. “I can seriously, hardly believe it. It’s all like a dream.”
I push a piece of hair from her face. “Hopefully a good dream. Besides, I’ve grown extremely fond of this town, and I was also hoping there would be a full-time job as a bodyguard for this hot little redhead I’ve managed to fall head over heels in love with right here in Deadwood.”
Lacy’s eyes shine with unshed tears, and my chest tightens knowing her eyes are moist with joy and that she won’t have to deal with the Eldridge’s anymore.
“Does that mean you’ll take a chance on me, Lacy?”
She wraps her arms around me tightly. “I love you so much. Yes, of course I will.”
My arms tighten around Lacy. “I love you too. I’d go easy on that wine, though, because I think you owe me a personal dance, kitten. Tonight, tomorrow night, and the next night too because I fully intend to make you mine.”