“I wish I had a club right now,” Ezekiel murmured. “Get back to the bed-and-breakfast and set something up so I can talk with Marie as soon as possible.”
Malichai nodded and got up to leave. The moment he did, the pressure he hadn’t even noticed in his chest eased. The knots in his guts unraveled just a little bit. He hadn’t realized he was uneasy being away from Amaryllis. He wanted to put it down to his being concerned that unknown danger lurked at the B and B, but he knew better than to try to deceive himself. It was Amaryllis. He just plain didn’t like being away from her. He was going to be one of those men.
He knew better than to look too eager as he left the house Ezekiel was renting. He’d never live it down if his brothers and teammates discovered he was forever wrapped around Amaryllis’s little finger and would do anything for her, not after all the crap he’d given them—especially Zeke. He forced himself to saunter out into the bright sun. He shoved his dark glasses on his nose and picked up the pace, striding down the long sidewalk across the street from the ocean side.
Ezekiel had been lucky enough—or someone high up had aided him—in getting his team a house close to the bed-and-breakfast. As far as Malichai could see, more and more people were coming into San Diego from all parts of the country, and the world, for the convention. It was actually nice to see that so many people had ideas to contribute. Still, Malichai couldn’t think about anything but how to protect those people. It wouldn’t be easy in a place as big as the San Diego Convention Center.
Malichai pushed open the front door of the bed-and-breakfast and immediately felt the tension in the large house. He picked up the pace, hurrying down the hall toward the kitchen, where he knew Amaryllis would be cleaning and setting up for dinner. She’d been working all day and he’d helped her until he had to attend the meeting with Ezekiel and the others.
The sound of raised voices was loud as he made that sweep in the hall that took him from the suites to the kitchen and the beginnings of Marie’s apartment.
Marie stood up against the door leading to her private living quarters, a large man towering over her. The man was tall with wide shoulders and a barrel chest. He had both hands curled into fists and stood so close to Marie that it would have been difficult to get a piece of paper between them.
Amaryllis stood on Marie’s right, looking up at the man, not in the least intimidated, at least nothing showed on her face.
“Back up. I’m calling the cops if you don’t step back away from her right now. It’s not like she’s hiding this man in one of the rooms,” Amaryllis said. “We don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“Bitch, stay out of this,” the man snarled, without taking his eyes from Marie. “This is the address he gave me,” he continued, practically spitting in Marie’s face as he spoke. “You know where he is. He owes me money and I’m going to collect it whether or not you tell me. If I don’t collect it from him, I’ll collect from you.”
“That’s a threat,” Amaryllis said. “I’ve recorded it and I can guarantee the police won’t like you making that threat.”
“I am the police, you bitch,” the man sneered. “I don’t think anyone’s going to take your word over mine. Malichai Fortunes is in this house somewhere.”
“I’m right behind you,” Malichai said softly. He’d already texted his brother to ensure he would have backup. If he was arrested, he wanted to be bailed out immediately. The only reason he could see for making this kind of power play was to remove him from the inn. That made no sense this early. The convention was still a week away.
The big man swung around, sizing Malichai up immediately. “Turn around and put your hands behind your back,” he ordered.
“I’ll need to see a badge first,” Malichai said. “I’m not taking your word for it that you’re a cop, especially since you came in here and tried to intimidate these women.”
“The women lied to me. I can arrest them for obstruction.”
“Actually, you can’t. Marie, as the owner of this establishment, isn’t obliged to give out her guests’ names to anyone. If anything, she has to protect them,” Malichai said mildly.
The man produced his badge. His name was John Mills. Malichai looked him over carefully. “I’m armed,” he said. “And I have a concealed weapons permit. I’ll place my weapons on the table and allow you to handcuff me.” Deliberately, he was slow about it, removing two guns and assorted knives, none of which were illegal. No officer of the law would want him to remove his own weapons. If anything, that would provoke them to be afraid he might shoot them.
Zeke, you close?
Very. Rubin has him in his sights.
That made sense, Rubin could run like the wind when he had to. The moment Malichai had contacted them, he would have come flying out of the nearby house and sprinted down the sidewalk with Ezekiel, Trap and Mordichai, uncaring who might see them.
Amaryllis could take him. I don’t believe for one second he’s a cop. He wants something. Let’s find out what it is.
I don’t like you taking chances with your life. A thread of steel ran through his brother’s voice. Through his mind. There was something close to that berserker rage Ezekiel only felt when it came to the protection of his brothers. He’d been that way as long as Malichai could remember. That rage could be lethal if it was allowed to slip loose.
It isn’t a chance when the four of you are close. You’ll need a car though.
Even as he spoke to his brother, his eyes were on Amaryllis’s face. She shook her head slightly and then glanced at Marie.
This is insane. You know he plans on killing you, Ezekiel snapped.
This is our best chance to find out what he wants. And find out who we’re up against. If this man went to the police academy, he flunked out. I took out my own weapons. Handled them right in front of him. I could have turned the gun on him and shot him or threw a knife and killed him that way. When he put the cuffs on, he didn’t notice I made certain to flex my wrists, giving myself as much room as possible.
You’re still in cuffs and he still wants you dead.
There was no arguing with Ezekiel, but there was satisfaction in knowing his brother would move heaven and earth to keep him safe.
“Let me kiss my girl good-bye,” Malichai said in a reasonable tone and stepped around Mills before he could protest.
“Zeke is watching over me,” he whispered against her lips and then took her mouth. Hard. Taking his time. Making it a luxury. She had that addicting fire that sent his mind into a place it shouldn’t go when someone wanted him dead.
“That’s enough,” Mills sputtered. He caught Malichai’s arm.
“Where are you taking him, so I can bail him out?” Amaryllis demanded.
Marie glared at him. “I’ll be filing a complaint against you personally and the department for this. It’s an outrage the way you behaved, and we have video evidence of it. Social media will get you fired.”
Mills ignored the two women and hurried Malichai away from them. Marie and Amaryllis followed, at a short distance. Malichai ignored Mills shoving him forward, his hand between Malichai’s shoulder blades, his other on his upper arm. As if that would have stopped him.