Page 19 of Dare
Hescoffed and got to his feet. “Yeah, I shot one of our own over what theyconsidered a NHI attack.”
“NHI?”
“Nohumans involved.”
“That’sfucked up.”
Shakinghis head, he laughed bitterly. “Everything is fucked up.”
Justusis staring at me and I realize I never answered his question. “Let me talk tohim first.”
* * * *
Tuckeragrees to come inside for a beer when I find him leaning against the fencesurrounding the now empty pool. Justus decided to head to Landon’s, where we recentlymoved ISH headquarters, so we have the place to ourselves.
Helooks uncomfortable sitting on the edge of my couch, so I get right to thepoint. “I have a proposition for you, if you’re interested. A job and a placeto stay.”
Hisgaze is wary, but he says, “I’m listening.”
“Letme ask you a question first. The man you killed for raping a woman. If you hadthe chance to go back, would you do it again?”
“Yes,”he replies instantly. “There’s right and there’s wrong, but the governmentdoesn’t always see it that way.”
“Iagree. I work with a group who track down pedophiles and online predators. Mostof the time, we report them to the cops—anonymously—but occasionally we find anasshole who keeps beating the system. I’m talking about the fucking scum of theearth. Men who abuse and sexually molest children, sometimes buy and sell theminto sexual slavery. Those don’t get reported. We make them disappear.”
Hescowls. “And you think because I’ve killed before, I might want to be what…ahit man for you?”
“No.No killing. We own a property outside the city, about an hour and a half away.It’s a farmhouse with a couple hundred acres, most of it woods. Our friend whowas taking care of the place just died, and we need someone who’s willing tolive there, keep the place up.”
“What’sthe catch?”
“There’srisk involved, I’m not going to lie. We dispose of the bodies there, and ifit’s ever discovered, you’d be an accessory at the least.”
Hishands run through his overlong oily hair. “You bury them there?”
“Notexactly. Bodies are too easy to dig up. We want to leave the least amount ofevidence behind as possible. If you decide to live there, you’ll need to takecare of a few pigs. Feed them, clean up shit, etc.” I wave my hand. “We’ll payall the bills, plus hook you up with cash every month.”
Tucker’seyes meet mine. “I’d need a car.”
“There’sa truck on the property. You’re welcome to it. Look, why don’t we drive outthere tomorrow so you can see if you’re interested?”
Hethinks about it for a long second before nodding. “I can do that.”
“Great,you can crash on the couch here tonight if you want.”
Gettingto his feet, he shakes his head. “No thanks. Just come grab me when you want togo.”
Helets himself out, and I breathe a sigh of relief. That could’ve gone eitherway. He could’ve been horrified and called the cops, but since he’s steppedoutside the law himself to right a wrong, I figured he was a safe bet. Now Ijust have to convince him to join us.
Whata fucking day. A funeral, and an evening with Ayda. An end and a new beginning.Hopefully.
ChapterFive
Ayda
Myweak legs barely carry me to the couch before they give out and I flop onto thecushion, my brain spinning as I struggle to figure out what the hell justhappened. My gaze travels to the kitchen where Dare had his hand down myshorts, and my cheeks heat. Christ, the man is a walking wet dream and I madeout with him. Who am I kidding? I’m pretty sure when you come all over a guy’shand, you’ve gone beyond making out.
Inever dreamed he’d actually try anything with me, and I didn’t mean to let ithappen, but from the second he wrapped those strong arms around me, I never hada chance of resisting. His hands are so big, his touch rough and mind blowing.I’ve never had anyone just grab me like that and I came as much from hiscommanding attitude as I did from his fingers inside me.
