Levels Of Exposure (Distortion Series Book 2) Read online

  The two maids never even acknowledged her as they gathered all their supplies and left the room. Rayner was quick to follow, locking the door behind him. Lexie took a deep breath and pushed off the wall. She slowly walked over to the damp carpet and dropped to her knees. Lexie slowly ran her hand over the surface and couldn’t help but think about the piece of peppermint gum that he had given her.

  “I hope you find peace, Miller,” Lexie whispered through her tight throat. She never wanted to get used to people being killed before their time. That was why she could never stay in John’s world, even if death was her only way out. She would fight for life even if it meant losing it.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Jackson

  Jackson leaned back on the hood of his car. The comforting sound of his music flooded his ears. He needed to calm himself. Knowing where Lexie was being kept made him want to move now, but having to wait until the pieces lined up caused him inner turmoil. If he went after her unprepared it wouldn’t do any of them any good. He wasn’t surprised anymore by the fact that his focus had shifted from finding out the details behind his father’s murder to Lexie. She was all he could think about and it made all the other noise in his head fade away. He was still planning on avenging his father, but it was now secondary to this new desire to set Lexie’s life straight. He couldn’t get her image out of his head, or the desire to physically hold her to know she was safe.

  Jackson was lying to himself when he thought he could walk away from her once he brought her home. With every passing second his feelings for her wove deeper and deeper into his very being. Whatever the future held for him, he had come to believe it would bring only pain, but it was a truth he had already accepted. The only thing for certain was that he refused to take his last breath until John Stodden was dead and Rosh was exposed for his part in his father’s death. Rosh may have pulled the trigger but he knew John was behind the order.

  The heat of the sun on his face almost gave him the illusion that he was comfortable, but the truth of the situation sat like a rock in his stomach. Someone nudged Jackson’s shoulder and he opened his eyes to see Teddy pointing toward two approaching vehicles. He pulled the earbuds from his ears and sat up.

  He glanced around to see Dane throwing rocks at a nearby sign. The repetitive sound of impact rang out over and over again with each successful hit. “Dane? Where’s Evan?” Jackson called out, not seeing him anywhere.

  Dane spun around and pointed toward the line of trees behind them. “He went to take a leak.” Dane dropped the rest of the rocks and wiped his hands off on his pants before he headed back toward the car.

  The unmarked van and car pulled up to a stop several yards away and kicked up a cloud of dust in the abandoned parking lot of an old industrial building. Jackson remembered it as an old shoe factory years ago before it shut down and was left to deteriorate. The doors were boarded and a few windows were broken. Someone had even gotten creative with a can of spray paint and tagged the building with questionable art.

  The side door of the van slid open. Two men stepped out of the back and stood guard on either side of the door. Slash stepped out of his car and rounded the vehicle. Jackson wasn’t surprised to see him. He’d always had a personal vendetta against Jackson. “I’d say I’m sorry we’re late but I’m not,” Slash said arrogantly as he walked closer to Jackson.

  “I can see that,” Jackson said, pushing off the car with his foot. He picked up the bag between his feet and tossed it toward Slash. It landed in front of his feet. “It’s all there.” Jackson waved with his hand. Slash looked down at the bag and extracted his knife from his pocket. He flipped it open, crouched down, and used the knife’s tip to hook the zipper and pull the bag open. He did a quick survey of the stacks before he closed the bag and stood up. “Impressive for a cop’s salary.”

  “I’m a good saver.” Jackson smirked. “Let’s see the guns.” He nodded toward the van. The two men standing guard pulled two large bags out of the back and carried them over toward Jackson and dropped them on the ground. When they opened the bags, they revealed the guns as Black had promised. Jackson did a quick survey to make sure all the inventory was accounted for.

  Dane’s eyes lit up. “And I thought you didn’t get me anything,” Dane said with a smile. He knelt down slowly and pulled the sniper rifle out of the bag. “An M24. I take back all the bad things I said about you.”

  “I knew you’d like it better than flowers,” Jackson said.

  “Fuck flowers.” Dane examined the gun with an appreciative expression. “I have a hard on right now.”

  “What’s wrong with him?” Slash waved his hand at Dane, who used the car to help himself to his feet. It wasn’t hard to tell that he was injured.

  “He got shot,” Jackson said casually with a dismissive wave of his hand.

  “Yeah, he was jerking off with his gun again,” Teddy said with a laugh as he smacked Dane on the back. “Kids these days don’t learn.”

  “Don’t judge, we all have our weaknesses,” Dane said, completely straight-faced as he looked through the scope of the rifle.

  Slash raised his brow as he looked at Jackson. “Is he the one we’re taking?”

  Dane lowered the gun and Teddy swung around to look at Jackson. “What is he talking about, Jacks?” Teddy asked.

  Jackson scratched the back of his neck. “Black asked for one of you to stay with him for collateral.” Jackson should have mentioned this to the guys before now but he knew that Evan would not cooperate with the plan if he was given a heads-up. Jackson needed this plan to happen if they were going to succeed. Jackson turned around and found Evan standing quietly behind them. He already had a suspicious look on his face when he looked back at Jackson.

  “Let me guess…’ Evan said flatly.

  Jackson walked over toward him and grabbed him by the shoulder, walking him a few more steps away to speak in private. Dane and Teddy followed him, insistent on being part of the conversation. “Black asked for insurance that we would follow through. At least this time no one is going to beat the shit out of you unless you do something to deserve it.” Jackson tried to make the situation seem lighter. He looked back over his shoulder at Slash, who seemed to be growing restless. Evan shook his head in disbelief.

  “You know I need Dane and Ted with me if I’m going to pull this off. Think of Lexie, Stephanie, and her mother. Think of it as a little vacation where you get to hang around a strip bar for a day or two until we get the girls back,” Jackson argued his point.

  “Fuck…Jackson, I hate you,” Evan growled, raking his hands down his face.

  “Just stay away from the smack or whatever they’re passing around and you’ll be fine, baby bro. Maybe you’ll get your first blow job.” Teddy patted Evan on the side of the face.

  Evan threw him a dirty look before he shoved his hand away. “Are you ever fucking serious, Teddy?”

  “Listen, Evan.” Jackson waited for Evan to look at him before he continued. “I promise we won’t leave you there. We came for you last time, didn’t we?”

  “If they kill me, Jackson, I will haunt you every day for the rest of your fucking life.”

  “Fine, but they aren’t going to hurt you,” Jackson assured him. “Black gave me his word you would be treated like a guest.”

  “Unless we don’t kill John,” Dane added with a quick tilt of his head. All three of them glared at Dane. “Just sayin’.” Dane shrugged before he walked back toward the guns.

  “It’ll be fine, and before you know it we’ll have the girls back.” Jackson grabbed Evan by the shoulder but Evan jerked away and took a few steps back.

  “You better be right.” Evan glared at him. “When this is all over I don’t want to see any of you again.”

  Teddy placed his hand over his heart. “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think? What am I gonna tell Mom?”

  “Oh, by the way, that guy from Seth’s house that you let leave is lurking in the trees. He said he needs to
talk to you,” Evan said angrily.

  “Shit.” Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay.”

  Let’s get this over with.” Evan started toward the van but then stopped and turned around to face Jackson. “Oh, just one more thing.” Evan wound up and punched Jackson in the face. Jackson saw it coming but he allowed him to get this one in. He deserved it.

  Jackson licked his lip and spit blood out of his mouth. “Are you done?” he asked, wiping his busted lip with the back of his hand. “If you ever do that again I will kill you.”

  “Holy shit…that made me feel so much better,” Evan said, shaking the pain out of his hand. “Make sure you bring them home,” Evan said before walking toward the others.

  “Little brother is growing up,” Teddy said as he wrapped his arm around Jackson’s shoulder. Jackson looked at Teddy and sighed before he followed Evan.

  “It’s all there,” Dane said when Jackson walked up beside him. “We’re all ready for the party now.” Dane rubbed his hands together excitedly.

  “Jackson.” Slash walked up to them. He continuously flipped his knife open and closed. It was his art of intimidation that he had mastered over the years but the effect was lost on Jackson. He knew Slash was just a lunatic with a knife. “What makes you think that you can take down Stodden when no one else can?”

  Jackson clenched his jaw and looked up at Slash. “Because I have really big balls,” he said. Teddy erupted into laughter behind him.

  Slash raised his brow in irritation. “Well, when you fail, I’ll enjoy cutting them off you.” Slash smiled sadistically. He flipped his knife up into the air and caught it before he slipped it into his pocket.

  “I bet you would,” Dane mumbled under his breath.

  Slash glanced at Dane before turning his attention back toward Jackson. “We’ll be hearing from you soon,” Slash demanded.

  Evan climbed into the back of the van without a backward glance. Jackson knew he wasn’t happy with them, but his part was as necessary as theirs. As much as Evan irritated him, he wouldn’t let him be put in unnecessary danger.

  Jackson watched the men pile back into the vehicles and drive away. Their wheels kicked up a wall of dust as they drove away.

  “I think I might actually miss that little fucker,” Teddy said with a frown.

  Jackson was watching the van disappear when his phone began to ring. He looked at the screen to see Giles’ name.

  “It’s Giles, isn’t it?” Teddy asked, looking at Jackson’s expression.

  “Yeah.” Jackson ignored the call. By now Giles would know what Jackson was up to but they just needed a bit more time to pull this off.

  Teddy’s phone started ringing immediately after. “Don’t answer it. We need to get to work. We’ll deal with Giles after the shit hits the fan,” Jackson said as he headed toward the treeline. Teddy was close on his heels.

  Jackson pulled his gun from his holster. “Come out, Nate,” Jackson hollered. He didn’t know what his intentions were, but he knew that if he tried anything, he would be ready.

  Nate walked toward them with his hands raised. “I just want to talk, Jackson,” Nate said as he stepped into view. Jackson stared at him over the barrel of his gun, unsure if he should trust him or not. A long time had passed and he wasn’t sure if he was the same person he once knew.

  Jackson dropped his gun. “What do you want?”

  Nate lowered his hands and walked closer. Teddy still seemed unsure and didn’t put his guard down. Nate threw Teddy a wary glance as he came to stand a few feet away from Jackson. “I just want to talk to you, man.”

  “It’s all right, Teddy.” Jackson nodded. Teddy reluctantly lowered his gun but didn’t put it away.

  “You just left without a word,” Nate said dejectedly as he ran his hand through his hair. “I was so fucking mad at you for leaving. You were all I had and you knew it.”

  “I didn’t have a choice, Nate,” Jackson said. “I sent someone to find you but they said you were gone.”

  “Yeah, I had no reason to stay.” Nate bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully as he looked at Jackson. There was so much emotion in his eyes Jackson couldn’t help but feel it. “I ratted on you to save my ass. I knew Black was ready to kick me to the curb, but Seth, he was looking for a reason to hate you and I gave it to him. I didn’t think you were ever coming back.”

  Jackson stared into the eyes of the one person who truly knew what he had to endure on the streets. Nate had been by his side through most of it. They had both done many things that would haunt then for the rest of their days.

  “You saved my ass so many times and I know I can never really pay you back, but I want to try,” Nate said.

  “Nate…” Jackson started.

  “I want to help you. I owe you that.”

  Jackson began to shake his head.

  “I need to do this, Jackson,” Nate said.

  Jackson turned around and looked at Teddy and Dane, who were both watching the exchange.

  “Seriously, Jacks,” Dane said, shaking his head.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Evan

  The van pulled into the same parking garage as they were brought to the day before. The two men Evan had the luxury of riding with filed out of the side door before ordering him to follow. He didn’t expect any hospitality but he could have definitely done without the glares they insisted on giving him the entire drive. Evan jumped out of the van and was immediately ushered through the back entrance of the club.

  The seductive music vibrated through his feet as he walked into the dim lighting. He was surprised to see the bar in full swing so early in the afternoon. Though the dancing seemed to be slightly tamer and relaxed compared to night before, the crowd had already begun to form.

  Evan was led toward one of the many designated bar sections. This one was tucked away in the back corner and mostly deserted except for one lone customer slumped against the bar and the bartender stacking glasses. “Sit down,” the man Evan thought resembled a bulldog ordered as he pointed toward the stool on the end of the bar.

  “Since you asked so nicely,” Evan replied as he dropped down in the seat. Bulldog leaned over him. “What the hell, man.” Evan looked down and realized he had handcuffed him to the metal rail that ran along the edge of the bar top. “Oh come on, seriously?” Evan pulled against the cuff, making the metal clank loudly against the bar.

  “Seriously,” Bulldog growled. “Now stay put.”

  “Like I have a choice.” Evan rattled the cuffs. “You don’t think this will raise any flags? There are customers all over the place.” Evan pointed toward the man at the end of the bar that actually looked like he might be passed out. “Well, maybe not him, but anyone can walk by.”

  “We’re in a strip bar, man. Cuffs are part of the package,” Bulldog said, waving his hands.

  Evan nodded in agreement. “What the fuck ever. Guess it’s not the worst thing that has happened to me lately.” Evan sighed and leaned against the bar.

  “Watch him,” Bulldog ordered the bartender before he stalked away.

  “You look like you need a drink. Let me guess, you’re a beer guy?” The bartender slid a beer in front of him.

  Evan looked up and noticed for the first time that the female bartender didn’t look so female upon closer inspection. “Whoa, are you a dude?” Evan asked before he thought better of it.

  “Ding, ding, ding, we have a genius in our midst, people.” The bartender turned toward the passed out man at the end of the bar. “Did you hear that, Jimmy? This guy figured me right the fuck out and I thought I had everyone fooled.” The man at the end of the bar gave a grunt and a small wave of his hand.

  “Sorry, you just caught me off guard,” Evan said apologetically.

  “And you are a green motherfucker from a small town, aren’t you?” The bartender placed her hands on her hips. “Do you want this beer or not, Sugar?”

  “Yes, please.” Evan grabbed the beer and greedily tipped it u
p to his lips. The soothing cold liquid gave him immediate relief. “My name’s Evan.”

  “Your name says it all.” The bartender shook her head and sighed. “I’m Cherry, and it looks like you got yourself into some trouble. Didn’t I see you here last night with those other hotties that came strolling in here all G.I. Joe style?” Cherry raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow.

  “Yeah, don’t get me started on that.” Evan tipped the beer up to his lips and took a long swallow.

  “I thought old Black finally took me up on my suggestion for elephant night around here.” Cherry smiled. “A girl can dream.” Cherry trailed off before she grabbed Evan’s empty bottle off the counter and dropped it in the recycling bin. “Looks like Benny is coming back to collect you.”

  Evan turned around to see the thick man heading their way. “Benny? He looks more like a Bulldog to me.” Evan said with a frown. “He has himself a serious steroid addiction.”

  “That is one thing we do agree on, Sugar,” Cherry said as she placed her hand on her hip.

  When Benny approached, he awkwardly acknowledged Cherry before he pulled the cuff key out of his pocket and unlocked Evan. “Follow me,” he grunted.

  “Thanks, Cherry,” Evan said, rubbing his wrist. “I’ll put in a good word for elephant night.”

  “Good luck, you’re gonna need it,” Cherry called out, shaking her head with a smile.

  Benny led Evan back toward Black’s office. He followed Benny inside Black’s spacious room before Benny closed the door behind them. The office was surprisingly not as tacky as he would have thought the owner of a strip bar would have had. There was no sex related décor, or posters. It was tastefully decorated.

  “Hello, Evan,” Black said, leaning back in his chair. “I’m going to get straight to the point. I don’t care to babysit you. You being here just gives me the insurance I need that Jackson will keep his word. I trust that you will quietly wait out your time, but if you try to walk out any of the doors, you will not leave alive. Do you understand me?”