Chapter 5
GO AWAY!
Heather squinted at the graffiti scribbled on the wall of the entryway to the mill building. Pointing to a strange symbol, she looked at Scott.
“What the heck does this mean?” The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
Glancing around, Scott’s face tightened. “That’s a symbol the Northside Dragons use to mark their territory.”
“The Northside Dragons? We aren’t in Hartford, Bridgeport, or even New Haven. This is an old mill town. What would a gang be doing around here?” Her voice rose in pitch. Stay in control. Don’t show fear.
Shrugging, Scott unlocked the door and stepped into the large open room that now housed stacks of lumber and piles of debris. Seemed work had finally started. Her eyes were drawn to another wall decorated with more writing. A shiver ran through her.
“I didn’t think they were, but some gangs have been known to expand their territory if they think it’s profitable. We’re only twenty minutes outside of Hartford.” He held up his phone and snapped a few pictures then got busy texting.
“Are you sending that to the police? We can’t afford to have gangs around here messing with our project, or extorting money from the companies we put in here. Totally bad for business.”
Sticking his phone back in his pocket, he strolled through the cavernous room. “Do you still need help walking?”
Glaring at him, she shook her head. She’d put sneakers on for this trip, not wanting Scott to have to help her. A tiny part of her resisted and still wanted him to. Wanted his hands on her hips, on her thighs, on her—Stop. No hands on her anywhere. No fun. That little voice still niggled inside, but she pushed it back. Focus on business.
Following behind him, she took inventory of what had already been accomplished since she’d been here a week ago. Mostly demolition it seemed. As they wandered through the building, Scott filled her in on the reconstruction project.
When his phone pinged, he read the screen then frowned. Moving closer, she touched his arm. The tingling she always got with him near surged through her skin.
“Is that the police? Are they coming to help with this?”
Scott’s eyes rolled toward her from where he was still scanning his messages. “I’m not on texting terms with the police. But I do have someone coming to help figure this out.”
A frown still marred his face.
“What’s wrong? You’re scowling. Or is it because of the vandalism?”
Taking a deep breath, he slid his phone back in his pocket. “It’s information about some things Jack is implementing at a few other job sites.”
“Things you don’t want him doing?”
His lips twisted and he stared across the room. “They aren’t decisions I would have made.”
“Isn’t it your company? Tell him to change it all back.”
“It’s half Jack’s company too. Both our fathers started it. I was simply the one running it when Jack was working for the Bureau or on the run. But he has as much right to decide things as I do.”
Something in Scott’s expression led her to believe he wasn’t happy with the joint ownership. Running her hand down his arm, she asked, “Would you have preferred Jack stay in the FBI?”
“God, no. I almost lost him a few times. I don’t ever want to go through that again. He’s like a brother to me.”
“But there is something about your partnership that’s troubling you, right?”
Looking down, he searched her face. For what she didn’t know. But he must have found it because he lifted his hands to rest on her shoulders.
“Jack’s a few years older than me, and was always the best at everything. He played more sports, went to a better college, had a higher rank in the military. And I was living with his parents.”
“They didn’t treat you well?”
“Oh, no, they were fabulous. Don’t get me wrong, I was lucky to be living with them. They never made me feel like a burden, but I was well aware that Jack was their son. I was their nephew. I always felt second best. It was my own doing but I still couldn’t shake it. I was totally envious of all that Jack had and accomplished.”
Remaining silent, she held his hands that had slipped from her shoulders.
“When Jack got in trouble with Cabrini and was on the run, I stepped up to the plate and finally had my chance to shine. I was helping Callie in every day matters. I even gave Jack places to hide and work to earn money to send to his family. Between running the company and being responsible for all of them, I finally felt in charge, like I was doing something better than him.”
“And now that Jack is back, able to provide for his family?”
A crooked grin twisted his mouth. “I’m being stupid. Ignore me.”
Stepping closer, she leaned toward him. “No, you aren’t. You’re being human.” Closer, not where she should be, but his revelation had made her see a different side to Scott Holland.
“Dude.”
The voice at their backs had them whipping apart and turning around. Her stomach dropped. Three young Asian men, dressed in black with red bandannas around their necks crossed the large area. Who the hell were these guys? Gang members? The ones who had warned people away from their territory? Reaching into her purse, she grabbed her pepper spray and held it in front of her.
“Don’t even think about coming another step closer,” she warned, though her hand shook visibly. Maybe they couldn’t see it in the dim lighting. Good thing electrical hadn’t been first on the list of things to fix.
Scott’s chuckle surprised her. Standing next to her, he lifted his chin at the new arrivals.
“Jian, how you been, man?”
The tallest of the men strode forward and grasped Scott’s hand, shaking it hard. What the hell? How did they know each other? If her knowledge of attire and colors was correct, Scott was having a friendly greeting with a gang member.
“Been okay. Trying to keep things quiet, but you know how that goes.”
“And Mei, she doing all right? Staying out of trouble?”
Jian, as Scott had called him, grinned. “I got her set up in a private girls’ school in Vermont. It’s a little boring for her tastes but she likes the freedom to be who she wants to be.”
“Not the sister of the Northside Dragons’ leader?”
Holy shit. This guy was the leader of the Northside Dragons? Seriously, how did they know each other? What other little tidbits of info did Scott have in his background that she didn’t know about?
Jian chuckled then looked around. The other guys with him merely stayed in the background, their eyes sharp. “I saw the symbol when we first came in. That ain’t ours. Someone wants to scare you off by using our mark.”
“That’s what I thought,” Scott answered. That’s why he hadn’t been freaking out like she had when they first got here. “Figured I’d check with the real deal though. Wasn’t sure if you had decided to expand your territory to this little town.”
“Not yet,” Jian answered, his eyes alight. Damn, did that mean he might in the future?
She took a step forward, but Scott slung his arm over her shoulder and held her back. Damn man seemed to have radar as far as her thoughts went. Pulling her along, they walked to where the other graffiti was.
Lifting his finger from the still wet paint, Jian said, “We would have written this in blood. Not cheap paint.”
“We’ve had some trouble since starting this project.”
Jian’s eyes wandered around the room. “What’s the problem and what are your plans for this place?”
Staying tucked behind Scott, she listened as he explained the mill expansion and the issues that had delayed the renovations. While she wanted to give this guy a piece of her mind, it seemed Scott might have it all under control.
“While this is out of our territory, I’d be happy to have a few of my guys keep an eye out. It’s not that far and it’s nicer scenery than our typical haunts.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“I appreciate what you have been doing for me. You got any big jobs coming up soon that might need more men?”
“As a matter of fact, I recently signed a contract for some new projects. Plus this one will need quite a few good workers. But you know what my stipulations are.”
Was Scott seriously considering hiring anyone this gang leader sent him? He couldn’t be that stupid.
Jian shifted his shoulders. “Yeah, I know what the rules are. So do my guys.”
“Send me their names and I’ll see what I can do.”
Jian mumbled something that sounded like “syeh-syeh” and pulled Scott in for a hug.
“You know if you ever think about getting out of the business, I’ve got a place for you too. You’ve got great managerial skills that could be useful to me.”
“Perhaps someday,” Jian said, smirking, then tilted his head at her. “This your lady? She’s fine.”
Her mouth wanted to scream “no” but the fear that filled her at the menacing men so close kept her silent. Pulling her to his side, his hand on her hip, Scott replied, “Yeah. And I’d be pissed off if anything happened to her.”
The wink from Jian unnerved her as he said, “You got it, man. Duly noted. We’ll be in touch.”
Scott nodded and they left as stealthily as they’d arrived. She waited a few moments then rounded on him, glaring.
“What?”
He damn well knew what. The grin on his handsome face was too large and smug.
“How the hell are you in that tight with the leader of the Northside Dragons?”
“I did him a favor a few years back,” he tossed over his shoulder as he walked to the other side of the room, where the lumber was stacked.
“That must have been some favor.” He didn’t turn around, forcing her to stare at his tight butt and long lean legs in those damn Carhartts again. Clenching her thighs, she tried to ignore his looks. Why did work clothes get her this turned on? Or was it him in work clothes?
“His sister was in a jam. I helped her out.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Helped her, huh? I’ll bet.”
He did turn around now and his jaw clenched. “I found her hiding at one of my construction sites. She’d already been kicked out of a few other places she’d tried to hide in. She was being chased by some guys from a rival gang who were doing initiations by raping little girls. She was only thirteen at the time.”
“Oh, my God. Did you call the police?”
“They wouldn’t have done anything except turn her loose to be chased down again. I managed to get her in my truck without being seen and once we were in a safe location, she contacted her brother to come get her.”
“Now you’re best buds?”
“We understand each other. We’re both businessmen.”
An unladylike snort escaped her. “And you also hire his gang members to work for you? Not here, I hope. I don’t want any trouble in that form.”
“I only hire those who have quit and are looking to have a real life. Mostly the guys with families, a wife, kids, you know. My stipulations are strict. Jian knows that and he makes sure the guys he sends me know it too.”
“People can actually quit a gang?” Hadn’t she heard it was difficult to do that?
“Jian’s not a bad guy. He honestly wants to help his people, but he also knows that sometimes to keep them safe you have to bend a few rules and get a little dirty.”
“And why did you say I was your lady? I’m not. If you think because we slept together that one time—”
“It was to keep you safe.” His hands wrapped around her face as he stared into her eyes. “The word will be out within minutes that you are not to be touched by any of their gang members and they will keep you safe at all costs. From other gangs if need be.”
“Why?”
“It’s their code. I saved one of their members. Now they owe me allegiance and safety.”
“I mean, why do I need to be kept safe? I haven’t had any problems with gangs.”
“Maybe not, but it makes me feel better. And Jian said he’d keep an eye out around here too.”
The hands on her face felt good, but she shouldn’t enjoy them. It wasn’t how their partnership worked. For some reason she didn’t tell him to let go.
“If you were friends with this gang for so long, why didn’t you ever ask them to kill Victor Cabrini? It would have solved all of Jack and Callie’s problems.”
His thumbs caressed her cheeks and she smothered a sigh.
“Believe me, I thought of it. But the mob is another whole layer of corruption and protection. They don’t mess with that. Not even for me.”
Leaning toward his warmth, she said, “Then thank you. It’s nice to know I’ve got people looking out for me. Even if they are on the wrong side of the law.”
“You can thank me better than that.” The glimmer in his eyes taunted her.
Without her heels, she had a height disadvantage so she stood on her toes, pulling his head down to hers. And as their lips touched it all became better.
* * * *
“Hey, Scott, that shipment of lumber just arrived at the Danbury campus. We should be good to go next week.” Jack sauntered into the office as Scott looked up from the paperwork he was ensconced in. As his cousin plopped into the chair behind the new desk, Scott sighed.
“Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.” He tried to hide the annoyance in his voice, but the constant problems with the mill building site were causing him a permanent headache. Today he’d been here at the main office of Holland Construction for too long. He had managers, accountants, and secretaries to handle all the paperwork. He liked to be in the field.
“Everything okay?” Jack asked, his feet propped on the desk.
“It’s fine.”
“Doesn’t sound fine.”
“Why did you order the shipment for this week when we don’t have the employees available for the job for two more weeks?”
“You sent me those two new guys from your friend, Jian. They seemed capable, so I figured I’d get them started on the preliminary stuff before the rest of the crew arrives.”
Silence filled the room like a viscous substance and Jack lowered his legs. “That’s not a good thing to get started early?”
“It’s fine, Jack. You’re half owner and have a right to make any decisions you want.”
“But it doesn’t sound like it was what you would have done.”
“You’re running that site, so it’s your call.”
“I can check with you first if that’s what you want.”
Running his hands through his hair, Scott swallowed hard. “As half owner you don’t need to check anything with me first.”
Jack stood, moving closer. “I owe you a lot. My life. Callie and Jonathan’s lives and well being. If it weren’t for you, I might have been picked off by one of Cabrini’s men long ago. I’m simply trying to do my share around here so it doesn’t all fall on you. I’m not trying to take over.”
“I didn’t say you were.” Though often lately it felt that way. But he didn’t need an argument right now. There was enough on his plate with all the crap being delayed on the mill project. They’d had yet another permit somehow go astray this week, setting the electrical work behind schedule.
“Tell me what you want me to do, Scott. Do you want me gone? The business to yourself? We can do that,”
“No, of course not. I’m thrilled you’re around more and don’t still have a damn price on your head. I’m simply being stupid. I ran this place by myself for years, and I guess I’m a bit territorial. I built this business into what it is today.”
“And you don’t want me walking in, taking half of what you made. I get it.”
“No, Jack, it’s not—”
“No, Scott, listen, if it’s easier for you to simply hire me as a foreman, then that’s what we’ll do. Or I can leave and find other work. I didn’t want to be dead weight, but I don’t want to usurp any of your authority either. Just tell me what you want.”
Lowering his head, he rubbed his eyes with his thumbs and breathed in deep. What did he want?
“This company was left to both of us. We both need to run it. I’m used to doing everything my way but that isn’t necessarily the right way. I have to accept that.”
Leaning against his desk, Jack folded his arms. “It’s worked until now, so why don’t I back off?”
“I don’t want you to back off, Jack. I want to be partners with you. If I can pull this stick out of my ass then it won’t be such a problem when you make choices that differ from what I would have done.”
“If we’re partners then we can also check with each other. You have far more experience in this business than I do. I’ll make it a point to check with you if it’s something I’m unsure of.”
“Go with your instincts, Jack. You’ve done a great job so far. Let’s do this. You take care of the college dorm contracts and troubleshoot any of the other sites if I’m not around. I’d like to spend a bit more time on the new project with the mill building.”
“How’s that coming along? Any more problems since the vandalism last week?”
“Another hitch in a permit but it’s fixed now. The delays are driving me crazy. It’s one of the reasons I’ve been crabby lately.” The other reason for his frustration smelled like a floral arrangement and sent his blood pressure soaring, not to mention made his pants too tight.
“I might be a bit short on patience right now too,” Jack admitted. “Jonathan has an ear infection and was up all night. Callie offered to stay up with him but she’s exhausted with being pregnant and all. I wouldn’t let her. She didn’t argue.”
What would it be like to have a child and wife you loved enough that you’d stay up all night to help them? Would he ever get the chance to find out? He’d been so busy with his company that dating hadn’t been high on his list of priorities. Plus he’d spent the last few years pretending to be with Heather so Victor Cabrini didn’t suspect anything. How do you explain that to a date?
“Is everything okay with Callie’s pregnancy?”
Shoving his hands into his pockets, Jack stilled. “The doc seems to think so, but she’s had some cramping that’s making me nervous. She says it’s only some early contraction stuff and nothing to worry about, but since I wasn’t around for her first pregnancy I didn’t see it.”
The concern in his cousin’s eyes was apparent.
“It would kill me if something happened to this baby, especially if it was because Callie didn’t get enough sleep or did too much. I finally have her and Jonathan and I don’t ever want to chance anything happening to them again.”
“If you need some time off to help her, let me know. We’ve got other people who can step in.”
“She’ll be all right.” Jack looked like he was trying to convince himself. “I stop in most days at lunch time since I’m in the area and Heather checks on her often too.”
“I’m glad that you and Callie finally have the chance to be a family. I’m a bit envious actually. Now. Certainly not for the past few years.”
“You should try it sometime, Scott. Not the being-on-the-run part, but the married-to-your-best-friend thing. There’s nothing better than having a woman next to you in bed at night and not only for the sex. Though I won’t lie and say that isn’t great too. But the same woman every day that you love and respect, right by your side, it’s amazing.”
Thoughts of Heather next to him in bed did things to his blood that didn’t need to be happening right now, in his office. But a lady like her would never settle for a blue-collar worker like him. It would never happen.