Malloy’s kitchen smelled like new paint and Sheetrock. The cabinets were yellow, the granite sparkly, and the floor a polished wood. Denver drew out a chair at the table where Tina had sewn up Noni. The slight smell of lemon and ammonia wafted up. Apparently Tina took cleaning up seriously.
“You still drinkin’?” Malloy asked, setting down two crystal tumblers.
“Yeah. Just not as much and not to forget.” Denver scrubbed his hands through his messy hair, shoving it away from his face.
Malloy reached into a cupboard above the fridge and drew out twenty-year-old single malt. He poured generously and then sat, his brown eyes hangdog. He’d drawn on a dark T-shirt that showed his impressive biceps along with the same sweats as before.
“You been working out?” Denver asked.
“Yeah. Tina is a health nut,” Malloy said, taking a deep drink and then watching him over the rim.
She had looked pretty healthy. Denver grinned and took a sip.
“Shut up,” Malloy muttered, flushing. “She’s not that much younger than me. Twelve years.”
“Love is blind, buddy,” Denver said, letting the alcohol warm his chilled gut. “My family, all of them, want you happy.”
Malloy sipped slowly. “Your family has been a pain in my ass since the first time I met any of you.”
Denver nodded. “We do have that effect, I agree. How long have you been together with Tina?”
“We’re not bonding here, numbnuts.” Malloy sat back, his gaze thoughtful.
Interesting. Were there wedding bells in the cop’s future? Denver took another drink. He liked Malloy, and he hated bringing danger to the cop’s door. Especially with Tina there. “What’s the intel?”
“According to my people, three known gangbangers are dead from bullet wounds, three more from the explosion. Four taken to the hospital—all in serious condition but not critical,” Malloy said, his expression turning pissed again.
Those guys must’ve been outside when he pressed the button. “I wonder what happened,” Denver mused.
“If I search your bag, will I find the gun that killed those first three?” Malloy asked.
“No,” Denver returned honestly. He’d have one of Jory’s men take care of it.
“Good.” Malloy poured them both another glass. “Why is there a gang after you? These guys run drugs and guns. That’s not your gig.”
Denver took another sip of the good stuff. “They’re protecting somebody who has something I want. As much as I’d love your help, I can’t tell you anything more than that.” He couldn’t tell Malloy the full truth or the cop would have to call it in. Denver had to find the baby himself.
“So you’re planning on doing something illegal,” Malloy muttered, shaking his head. He’d cut his hair short, so it didn’t move. But somehow even his hair seemed to bristle at Denver.
“I hope not,” Denver said. He wasn’t sure if taking the baby from Richie was illegal. “I’m doing the right thing. I promise.”
Malloy scratched his elbow. “Did you see the press conference Sheriff Cobb had in North Carolina?”
Denver closed his eyes and then reopened them. Oh shit. This was going to go south and fast. “Yeah.”
“Did you kill the kid and Cobb’s brother years ago?”
Might as well give Malloy all of it. He seemed like a fair guy, and so far he’d worked with them. “Cobb’s brother killed the little kid, tried to pin it on me, rushed my brothers, and they hit him with bats in self-defense.” Denver let all the words out in a rush. “I started the fire that burned down that hellhole.”
“Fuck.” Malloy tipped back his head and drank his entire glass. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
Denver swirled his glass around. “I don’t know. It’s the truth.” Why was the cop even giving him a chance? “Didn’t Sheriff Cobb contact you a few weeks ago?”
“Yeah. He visited here for a lunch meeting with me.”
Denver stilled. He looked up, shock filling him. “You met with Cobb.”
“A week ago Tuesday,” Malloy confirmed, his gaze hardening even more. “I didn’t like him. Jerk thinks he’s too smooth and everyone else is too dumb. Asked me a bunch of questions about you guys and the Copper Killer case.”
They’d solved that case and put down a serial killer. Denver swallowed. “What did you tell him?”
Malloy’s smile was fierce. “Nothin’. He thought I was a dumb hick cop, and I acted like one. My instincts are good.”
Maybe, maybe not. The cop was a good guy who’d decided to trust Denver, and that might be a mistake. “I have a target on my back, and I don’t want somebody to hit you instead of me,” Denver said.
“Agreed,” Malloy said. “But if the shooter is illegal, I take him down.”
That was not how it was going to happen. Cobb wouldn’t go quietly, and Madison would always somehow find funding to continue her experiments. There was only one way to stop them, and it sure wasn’t the legal way. “Of course,” Denver said smoothly. “If I had one iota of proof against Cobb for anything, I’d turn it over.”
“Why do I feel like I never get the whole story from you guys?” Malloy snapped.
Because Malloy was smart, without question. Denver just shrugged. “Your hick cop act works for only so long. You’re not stupid.”
“No.” Malloy leaned back and opened what looked like a junk drawer to remove a bright purple file folder. He nudged it toward Denver.
Denver stared at the innocuous folder for a moment and then flipped it open to see a picture and background check on Noni. Man, Malloy had run that fast. Just how good were his connections, anyway? He must’ve taken her driver’s license from the pack before Denver had gotten it out of the entryway. “She’s clean, Malloy.”
“Sure is.” Malloy reached out one beefy hand and tapped his finger on the picture. “Why is that woman with you running from shooting gang members? She has no ties to drugs, guns, or gangs. You wouldn’t take a girlfriend into a fight with you. Not your style.”
“Girlfriend?” Denver kept his gaze placid. “Says who?”
“Says the sounds I heard from your bedroom thirty minutes ago,” Malloy retorted.
Denver crossed his arms. “You listened to us? Pervert.”
“Look who’s talking.” Malloy shook his head. “I can see with my dumb hick eyes that you care for her, so knock off the act. There’s only one reason you’re fighting off gang members, and she’s sleeping in my guest room. Tell me the story so I can help her.”
Denver finished his drink. “The second I think I can share, I will. For now, trust me.”
Malloy’s nostrils flared and he drank the rest of his Scotch. Standing, he glared down. “Fine, but I’ll keep digging. For now, would you please call your family—all of them—so they stop bothering me? They found out about the explosion, and I don’t want to know how. If you guys are hacking into satellites again, I will arrest you.”
Denver winced. “Sorry. I sent a text, but they were supposed to hold tight.”
“None of you knows how to hold tight.” Malloy stomped out of the kitchen and disappeared.
Denver dragged his phone from his pocket and dialed up Ryker.
“What the fuck, man?” Ryker’s face was instantly on screen with Heath next to him. Denver should’ve grabbed his laptop out of his pack for this call. “The safe house blew up.”
Denver nodded. “I had the safeguards put in place when we were working the Copper Killer case and hadn’t had a chance to disengage them. They came in handy tonight.”
“Are you all right?” Heath asked, the green in his eyes burning.
“Fine. Noni got shot in the arm, but she’s okay.” Denver glanced at the half-full bottle of Scotch. He didn’t need another glass. It tempted him, but he was stronger than that. He had to be—for Noni.
Ryker leaned in. “We’re heading your way.”
“There’s nothing for you to do here yet,” Denver countered evenly. “I’m not
even sure if Richie and the baby are here in Snowville. What I can’t figure out is how the gang found the safe house.”
“They must’ve followed you from the hospital,” Ryker said, not sounding convinced. “But it’s odd you didn’t notice something.”
Heath snorted. “His mind isn’t on the op, now, is it? We never should’ve let you go alone.”
Denver ground his back teeth together to keep from snapping. He would’ve felt the same way if Heath was in danger and he was safely at home, but there wasn’t an alternative right now. “Listen. Sheriff Cobb came here to meet with Malloy a week ago Tuesday. One of you start hacking and see if you can find where he flew from, if he flew. If there’s no record, we’ll start hacking into traffic cams to see where he drove from.”
Ryker stiffened, his eyes darkening. “You think we can find where Cobb and Madison have set up shop?”
“I hope so.” Denver tapped his fingers on the table. They’d been searching for Cobb and Madison, who’d set up a new lab, for so long. They had to find those bastards. “This is the best lead we’ve had in ages. Maybe ever.” They were so close. It was time. The Scotch caught the dim light from the stove clock, looking delicious. He licked his lips and kept his hand away from the bottle.
Heath cleared his throat. “What are you staring at?”
“Nothin’.” Denver hunched in his chair, his focus back on his brothers. “Just thinking the problem through. I told Malloy what really happened.”
Ryker sighed. “You probably didn’t have a choice. It’s better he hears the truth from us before investigating further, which we know he’ll do. You’re not safe staying there, regardless.”
“Agreed.” Denver scrubbed his face. “I lost the truck.” Damn it. He’d loved that truck. “It was in the garage when the house blew.”
Heath winced. “Sorry.”
“Me too,” Denver murmured. “I’ll need clean transport. The Montana gang sent money and provisions, so I just need to buy something off the street.” There had to be a local magazine with cars for sale around the house somewhere. Malloy seemed like a car guy.
Ryker opened his mouth, no doubt to argue, and Denver cut him off. “There’s no plan, guys. I can’t include you until I know where Richie and the Kingdom Boys are. For all I know, the assholes could be heading in your direction. Keep up your searches, I’ll keep up mine, and we’ll see what happens. I’m safe and fine.” And armed. “Trust me.”
His brothers both looked at him, their gazes worried.
“Fine,” Heath muttered.
“Agreed,” Ryker said, his voice no happier than Heath’s. “We need a plan. Saving the baby takes precedence over any other op, even our main one. Find that baby and get in touch with us.”
“Roger that. Call me the second you find either Cobb or Madison,” Denver said, disconnecting the call. He had to find Talia—time was running out. He leaned back and sighed, thanking God once again for his brothers. A part of him believed that they would’ve found one another even without Madison’s interference, because they were family, and that was that. Speaking of family. He dialed another number.
“Are you all right?” Jory Dean instantly filled the screen. “The safe house blew up and Malloy wouldn’t tell me anything. He enjoys being a dick.”
“Can’t blame him. We never tell him anything,” Denver said slowly. “I’m fine. I blew it up, we ran, and we’re safe right here. Stay where you are, keep your brothers there, and I’ll call if I need help.”
Jory snarled. “Don’t brush me off. You’re out there alone, and that doesn’t work for me.”
“I’m not alone—”
“Yes, you are. Whether we’re brothers or not, we’re family. We never leave one of us alone. Never alone.” Jory’s gray eyes turned stormy.
Denver blinked. Had he just hurt Jory’s feelings? The guy was a bulldog and deadly soldier—one of the deadliest alive. His training had started at birth. Who knew he was so sensitive? “I’m sorry if I was curt,” Denver said hoarsely.
Jory rolled his eyes. “Don’t be a jackass.” He paused. “I, ah, I have the results of our genetic testing.”
Denver stilled. His breath caught. “What does it say?”
Jory glanced down. “I haven’t opened it yet. Thought we should do it together.”
Denver swallowed. “This is as close as we’re going to be for a while. Open it.”
Jory nodded and the sound of an envelope being ripped open came across the line. He glanced down to read, his eyes starting to darken.
Denver caught his expression. “We’re not brothers.” A fist dropped into his gut. Until that second he hadn’t realized how much he wanted that genetic link.
Jory looked up, his eyebrows down. “I don’t give a fuck what a test says. We’re family. At least one of your brothers is a half brother to my one of my brothers—”
“Jesus.” Denver snorted. “Okay. We’re family. Stop with the confusing brother talk.” His chest ached, and he fought the urge to rub it. The Scotch bottle beckoned him again, and he gripped the table to keep from reaching for it. Man, he’d wanted to be Jory’s brother, too. “It’s okay, Jory.”
“Promise we’re family,” Jory said, looking much younger all of a sudden. Like a wild wolf who’d been cornered and was trying to decide whether to nudge forward or attack with teeth bared.
Denver blinked as he let go of the dream of a genetic link with another person. He was fine making his own family in life, so why not give Jory the words? Jory was a good guy, and Denver liked him. “We’re family.” Yeah. It was true.
Jory cleared his throat, looking congenial again. “Okay. Enough with the mush. Did your truck survive the explosion?”
Denver’s jaw tightened.
“Ah, sorry man. That sucks.” Jory leaned to the side. “I’ll have my guy bring you a car tomorrow. What do you want?”
Denver leaned back. “Business is that good?” The Dean boys owned several businesses throughout the country that provided military-like services in the private sector.
“Yep. It’s great. You should come on board after this case is over,” Jory said.
Denver ignored the Scotch that was so damn near his hand. “I’ll keep it in mind. Have your guy bring something fast and good in the snow, and I promise I’ll pay you back.”
“No worries. Call in when you get to the next safe house.” Jory sobered. “Family means everything. You guys know that, right?”
Denver let the words ring true. “Yeah. It’s all we know.”
Jory grinned. “How is Noni?”
“Night, Jory.” Denver clicked off, a genuine chuckle rising up. The first part of his life had been shitty and then he’d found Ryker and Heath. Life had gotten shittier, then they’d escaped, and life had gotten a whole lot better. Now he had an entire family in Montana also.
Man, he hoped he lived through his next two missions.
Then there was Noni.
As if on cue, she moved into the room, her dark eyes grumpy and her hair all over. She slid his laptop onto the table. “The thing keeps beeping.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned and stumbled sleepily out of the kitchen.
Denver watched her the whole time, not sure what to say. His body sprang to full life, and his cock perked right up. Oh, he wanted to be back in bed with her.
His laptop beeped.
Frowning, he flipped open the lid and went through his extensive security to reach the searches he was still conducting. A few minutes later, he was on the right site on the good ole dark web.
A line caught his eye. An auction. He knew it. Damn it. His patience had paid off, but he didn’t like what he read.
“There you are,” he murmured. He kept reading, his blood freezing in his veins. The gang was auctioning off the baby, just like he thought they would. A picture of Talia, her baby eyes so innocent and vulnerable, filled the screen.
God.
Chapter
12
Get dressed, sweetheart.??
? Denver gently tugged Noni up, turning her to examine the bandage on her arm. “This will keep. We have to go,” he whispered.
She instantly awoke and looked around. It was still dark outside. “What time is it?”
“Five in the morning. We have to go before Malloy wakes up.” Denver tossed clothing onto the bed for her.
She shrugged into a thick sweater and pulled on her jeans before quickly braiding her hair down her back. “Why are we sneaking off?”
Denver handed over her pack. “Malloy is a cop, and we have to make this easy on him.”
“I wondered how long we could stay.” The detective would probably have to fight his conscience to just let them go and not drag them down to the police station. “But I still want to say thank you to James and Tina.” Noni stepped into her boots.
“You can send them a fruit basket later.” Denver motioned her toward the doorway. “Follow me.”
Smart aleck. Noni stopped by the bathroom quickly to take care of business and brush her teeth. Denver was waiting for her right outside. “Let’s go.”
She shook her head but did as he said, following him down the hallway and through the living room. The Christmas lights still twinkled happily in the corner. Would she ever have this with Denver? Was it possible? She was off balance, and somehow sad. Leaving the comfortable home made her feel chilled. He opened the door, and more cold instantly slammed into her. Barely keeping herself from grumbling, she grabbed her coat and shoved her arms in before heading out into the darkness.
Denver took her hand and led the way down the walk to the street, where a man leaned against a deep green SUV. He pushed off as they approached. A hat sat low on his head, and in the darkness she couldn’t really see his face. He handed Denver the keys and a piece of paper, turned without a word, and trudged down the sidewalk.
Noni watched him go. This was all so weird. “Who was that?” she whispered, even more off balance than before.
“Get in.” Denver opened the passenger side door, and she climbed in, then he walked around and got in too. He ignited the engine, and they drove away from the detective’s house.