Bitter Sweet Hell (Hell Night Book 2) Read online

  She huffs out a breath on a humorless laugh. “I know my rights. You can’t keep me here.”

  I flash her my teeth. “Your tag’s expired.”

  “Damn it,” she mutters and tips her head back to the sky. The slender column of her neck mesmerizes me. All too soon, she brings her head back down.

  I hand over her license and registration. “Give me a couple of minutes, then follow me into town. I just need to make arrangements for a place for you to stay.”

  “Whatever.” She snatches the papers from my hand, yanks open her door, and drops down into the seat. That’s a big fucking mistake for someone with sore ribs. She sucks in a sharp breath and rests her head back against the headrest.

  I close her door for her and lean my hands on the edge. She opens her eyes to slits and glares at me.

  “We’re having your ribs looked at too.” I hold my hand up when she opens her mouth to spew whatever shit she’s come up with. “Not up for discussion. You’re obviously in pain. You need to make sure there aren’t any broken or cracked.”

  “Fine,” she grumbles and snags her glasses from the middle console and slides them back over her eyes.

  I pin her with a look. “Two minutes and then follow me.” I push off from the door. “The name is JW, in case you were wondering.”

  Without waiting for a reply, I stalk back to my car, climb behind the wheel, and pull up Judge’s name on my phone. He answers on the third ring.

  “What?” he grunts.

  “I need a favor.”

  There’s a couple of taps on his end then he grunts again, “What?”

  “I’m bringing in a woman. She’s in trouble and needs a place to stay. I need you to call Jenny to see if she minds having company for a few days.”

  “Who is this woman?” he asks, a hard edge in his tone.

  My jaw tenses, but I unsnap my teeth. He’s going to be pissed, but fuck if it’ll make a difference. Eden will be staying in Malus for a few days whether he likes it or not.

  “Someone I caught speeding just outside of town. Before you get bent out of shape, she’s staying here, so you’ll just have to deal. Her ex has already done a number on her. Apparently, he’s looking for her and she has nowhere to go. I’m going to look into the situation.”

  There’s a loud bang, and I can just imagine his fist hitting his desk. Next comes his muttered curse. Judge takes the protection of Malus and its citizens very seriously. My brothers and I do as well, but Judge takes it to another level. Nothing and no one are more important. While that’s the case for Trouble, Emo, and myself most of the time, we also recognize there may be situations where risks need to be taken. Most of the time we’re just an ordinary town, so the chances of our special brand of justice coming to light are extremely slim.

  “Find out whatever you can quickly so this shit gets taken care of in a timely manner,” he grinds out. “I’ll give Jenny a call.”

  I slip my aviators back on and turn over the ignition, my eyes on the back of Eden’s car. “Got it. And thanks.”

  He doesn’t bother to say goodbye before the line goes dead. Not that I expected it. Judge is a man of few words.

  As I roll past the red convertible, my eyes slide to Eden, who’s sitting stiffly in her car. My gaze moves to the rearview mirror, and my body relaxes back in the seat when I see her pull away from the side of the road. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she had whipped a u-ey as soon as I rolled past her and hauled ass in the opposite direction. I’m just glad I didn’t have to chase her down.

  Because I would have.

  Eden Delmont may not want my help, but that’s exactly what she’s going to get.

  EDEN

  I SIT RIGIDLY ON THE BUTTERY soft leather sofa with my hands buried in my deep blue skirt as the sheriff who pulled me over speaks to a blonde-haired woman. She was introduced as Jenny. Her eyes keep flickering to me, a look of concern bringing a frown to her face. It irritates the hell out of me to have them talking about me like I’m not even here. It also irks me for some bizarre reason how close he’s standing to the pretty blonde. And that only pisses me off even more, because, really, why would him being close to her bother me? I mean, yeah, he’s gorgeous. And I admit, his voice is deliciously deep and gravelly. Not to mention he’s got a killer body made for a woman to do sinful things to. But I don’t know this guy from Adam. And anyway, none of that should matter in my current situation. I’m literally running for my life, for God’s sake.

  The woman faces JW again and gives him a nod. He smiles, and damn it, it only adds to his appeal. Especially the dimple that dents his cheek. I’ve always been a sucker for dimples.

  Stupid, Eden. So stupid.

  How stunning this man looks isn’t something I should be thinking about right now. I’ve got more important things to worry about. Like why I’m even in this town; in this stranger’s house. I shouldn’t be here. I need to keep moving. The longer I’m in one place, the more of a chance he’ll find me. I’ve no doubt once he does, he won’t let me live. I’ve seen too much.

  I should be concentrating on how I’m going to avoid kicking the bucket.

  JW and Jenny walk back into the living room. Jenny smiles and takes a seat on the love seat, while JW comes to sit on the couch with me, keeping one of the cushions between us.

  “Jenny’s going to let you stay here for a few days to let you lie low while I check over a few things.”

  “You really don’t have to do that.” I look to Jenny. “Your offer is very generous, but it’s probably best for me to move on.”

  “And what happens the next time you get pulled over?” I slide my eyes back to JW. “I guarantee they’ll run your license with your expired tag.”

  I close my eyes and silently curse myself for the dumb oversight of my tag. My birthday was last month, and I had every intention to renew it before the end of the month, but then my life went to crap and it slipped my mind. I could kick my own ass for being so stupid.

  “It’s no problem,” Jenny says, her tone soft. I open my eyes. Understanding and compassion flashes in her eyes. “You can stay as long as you need.”

  “Neither of you understand what you’re asking. You don’t want Diego to find me here. He’s a mean son-of-a-bitch, and he won’t be alone. He’ll have his friends with him.” Or at least I think he will.

  JW and Jenny share a look, something passing between the two, before he brings his gaze back to me.

  “You let me worry about that. If he comes here, he’ll be taken care of,” he says cryptically. “Diego is his first name?” I nod. “And his last?”

  I tug on my lip with my teeth for a moment before spitting out, “Tomas.”

  JW’s eyes narrow in recognition. “As in the Tomases?”

  “Yes.”

  “Fuck,” he mutters and rakes his hand through his hair.

  Yeah, it’s not as cut and dry as he thought it was going to be.

  “I’m lost,” Jenny remarks with a frown. “Who’re the Tomases?”

  “Up and coming Spanish cartel. They’ve been trying to take over the west side of San Antonio for a couple years. They’re currently at war with the Santiagos. They’re mean, violent, and don’t give a shit who they hurt in their endeavors.” His head swivels my way. “You sure know how to pick the wrong family to get involved with.”

  My back straightens and my eyes narrow into slits. “I didn’t do it on purpose, asshole. He lied about who he was when I met him. What gives you the right to judge me?”

  He leans forward, his elbows on his knees, and puts his face closer to mine. His pine scent swirls around me.

  “Because I’m the guy trying to save your ass.” His hands ball into fists. “If I remember correctly, Diego is Emiliano’s son, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  His nod is so stiff I’m surprised it didn’t pop a tendon in his neck.

  “Why is he after you? This seems more than just an abusive ex.”

  My nails pinch into my pal
ms. “I saw him murder a woman. Although there’s something strange he asked for when he gave me this.” I point to my black eye. “He wanted to know where I hid the microchip.”

  “Where did you hide it?”

  I shake my head. “That’s just it. I don’t have it. I have no clue what he’s talking about.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. You think I would keep something that could get me killed? Sorry, but I want to live.”

  He sits up and rubs his hands down his jean-clad legs. “Okay. Tell me exactly what happened.”

  I look away and out the window in front of us, gathering my thoughts and remembering the fear that gripped me when I witnessed something so vile.

  “A week ago, Diego and I spent the night at his house. I woke up late and he wasn’t in bed. I had an appointment, so I got up, dressed, and went to look for him to let him know I had to leave. The house was huge. I went to each room looking for him. When I opened the last door, I had no clue what I was walking into. Diego had a girl chained to a wall. She was naked, and he was beating her with a whip.”

  I close my eyes and swallow down the bile trying to force its way up my throat.

  “Her body was covered in lacerations,” I continue, my voice just above a whisper. “I froze in shock. All I could do was stand there and watch. I don’t know if the girl was alive. But I know she couldn’t have survived it when he grabbed a knife and sliced her from her pubic bone up to her sternum. Her guts spilt from her body and landed at his feet.”

  I turn back to JW and see a scary mask over his face.

  “I don’t know how I managed it, but I left without making a noise. He never knew I was standing there. Or at least, I thought he didn’t. I went home to think before going to the police, but then he showed up. Apparently, one of his staff saw me at the door and told him. After I fell to the floor with the hit to my face, he demanded to know where the disk was. When I told him I didn’t know what he was talking about, his boot landed against my ribs. The only thing that saved me is one of my neighbors heard his screams and called the cops. The sirens scared him off, but he gave me a warning before he left. He told me his real name and said I had a week to come up with the chip. Today makes a week. Once he told me his name, I knew there was no way I could go to the police. Everyone knows the Tomases have connections in the department.”

  JW springs up from the couch and begins pacing the room, muttering to himself so low I can’t understand him. His hands are propped on his hips and he looks irate. I can practically feel the pissed off vibes coming from him.

  He spins back, his eyes piercing me where I sit. “You said you don’t have this chip. You don’t have any idea what he’s speaking of?”

  I throw my hands in the air in frustration and let them fall heavily back in my lap. “I’ve already told you,” I say in exasperation. “I don’t know anything about a chip.”

  A knock at the front door stops whatever he’s about to say. With a muted growl, he stalks out of the room. My eyes move to Jenny. She smiles faintly at me.

  “You have to excuse JW. He’s normally not so hot with his temper. He’s typically pretty laid back.”

  “Guess I just bring out the worst in him. Which is telling because I just met the guy an hour ago.”

  Her hair bounces when she shakes her head.

  “That’s not it. Violence against women and children is a very sore subject for him.”

  I tilt my head and regard her. “Are you two… together?”

  Why does the thought of that sour my stomach?

  She laughs lightly. “No. I’m with Judge.”

  I inwardly release a sigh. “Judge?”

  She nods. “Yes. Although that’s not his real name, it’s what we all call him.”

  JW comes storming back in the room. His expression is still flat, but not quite as dark as it was a moment ago. Another man is on his heels. I mentally roll my eyes when I notice his good looks. Why is it that hot guys always hang out with other hot guys? Thick black hair and stunning blue eyes makes him almost as good-looking at JW.

  “This is Dr. Trayce. He’s going to check over your ribs,” JW states before walking behind the bar in the corner. Once there, he grabs a glass from under the bar, pulls the stopper off a decanter, and pours a healthy amount of the amber liquid in the glass. His throat bobs as he tosses it back.

  The new man, Dr. Trayce, steps forward and offers his hand. His eyes assess me with curiosity. When his gaze lands on my nice shiny black eye, the muscles in his jaw twitches.

  “You can call me Trouble.”

  I frown, look down at his hand, before slipping mine into his. “Eden.”

  “Which side is injured?”

  It takes me a moment to realize what he’s referring to. “The left.”

  He takes a seat on my left side. “You mind lifting your shirt?”

  I lift my left arm over my head, and using my right hand, pull my shirt up to just below my breast. Instead of paying attention to what the doctor’s doing, I look back over to JW. He has one hand leaning on the bar, while the other holds a freshly poured glass. His gaze is locked on me. I lose his eyes just long enough for him to tip the glass back and drain it.

  I have no idea what he’s thinking, but whatever it is sends a light thrill through me. Goosebumps appear on my arms, and I don’t for the life of me understand why.

  I break my gaze away when Trouble presses against a sore spot. I hiss out a breath and look down to where his fingers are. The skin is a light-purple but doesn’t look too bad. My eye looks much worse.

  “I don’t think they’re cracked. And they’re obviously not broken. You’re breathing fine and there’s no inflammation in the area. I pressed pretty hard. Had they been broken or cracked you would have been withering on the floor.” He stands. “Only thing you can really do is ice the area and don’t sit still for longs periods at a time. You want to stay mobile to keep from becoming stiff. If there’s any problems, let Jenny know and she’ll call me.”

  “Thank you.”

  He tips his chin, then turns to Jenny. “Remi wanted me to pass along that Elijah likes the teether you bought him.”

  Jenny’s eyes light up and a stunning smile takes over her entire face. She claps her hands excitedly. “Really? That makes me so happy!” she gushes. “Tell her I’m coming by tomorrow.”

  He quirts a brow. “She already knows.”

  Jenny giggles, and it reminds me of a school girl bubbly giggle. The sound is sickenly endearing, and I can’t help the small smile that plays on my lips.

  “Walk me out,” Trouble tells JW in more of a demand than a request.

  JW walks over to me and holds out his hand. “Phone.” I give it to him and a second later, his phone chimes. I toss mine in my purse when he hands it back to me.

  “I’ll be by tomorrow,” he says before walking out of the room.

  Jenny gets to her feet. “Come on. I’ll show you to the room you’ll be using.”

  “I really appreciate you doing this,” I say, following her out of the room. “I mean, you don’t even know me. Why would you let a stranger in your home like this?”

  She looks at me over her shoulder as she ascends a set of stairs. “Because violence against women and children is a sore topic for me as well.”

  I frown. I get the feeling she’s intimate with the subject. Has she been in an abusive relationship? I push away that thought for now and continue to trail behind her.

  At the top of the landing is a huge sitting area with a banister looking out over the foyer below. There are several closed doors on both sides of the hallway we walk into next. She stops at the second door and pushes it open. The room isn’t big, but it’s not small by any standards. I take in the queen bed, night stands on either side, the dresser with a huge mirror, and a comfortable looking chair in the corner.

  I turn back to Jenny. “This place is huge. Are you and… Judge the only ones who live here?”

  She wa
lks over to the window and pulls the curtains open, letting in the natural light.

  “Judge isn’t here all the time, and when he’s not, it’s just me. I like the big space though.”

  I toss my purse on the bed and take a seat on the edge. “Well, thank you for letting me stay.”

  She smiles brightly. “It’s no worry. I’m glad to have you.” She walks toward the door. “I had plans to heat up some leftover lasagna. I can heat up a plate for you as well if you’d like?”

  “That would be great. Thank you. I need to call my parents to let them know I’m okay before they send out a search party. I’ll be down once I’m finished.”

  “Take your time,” she says and closes the door behind her, leaving me alone.

  I blow out a breath and fall back on the bed. I stare at the ceiling, but I don’t really see it. My mind keeps going back over the last hour. Everything happened so fast. I was driving with one eye on the road and one on the rearview mirror. I couldn’t be sure, but I could have sworn there was a car following me.

  Today was the deadline Diego gave me to hand over this mysterious chip. I left yesterday because I had no other idea of what to do. Like I told JW, I couldn’t go to the police. There’s no telling how many people there are in the Tomas’s pockets. If the wrong person heard I went to the police, they’d hand me over to him.

  I shudder when I think about the woman in chains. Who was she? Did she have family looking for her? Shame drops like lead in my stomach, because maybe she has a mother and father who’re looking for her. What if she was a wife and mother? Are her kids crying for her?

  Guilt for not reporting her murder brings tears to my eyes. I haven’t given myself time to really think about the ramifications of me not going to the authorities. Unless her body is found, no one will know what happened to her. I can’t imagine what her family must be going through, wondering what happened to her.

  I angrily swipe my tears away and sit up. As much as it makes me feel like a selfish bitch, I just can’t report her murder. Not yet anyway. Once this is all over—if it ever is—then I can tell the police what I witnessed. I just hope they can find her body and give peace to her family.