Trouble Travels in Threes (Trouble, Tennessee 3)

Markie released a ragged breath as if he were trying to speak.

“Get him a drink.” The seated man leaned forward, splayed his legs, and dropped his cigarette between them. He didn’t bother smothering out the butt. Instead, he cocked his head sideways and studied Markie, his nostrils flaring as if he enjoyed breathing the wretched smoke fumes.

“What are you standing there for?” He swung his gaze to the one sporting scars. “Go fetch him some water!” Given his choice of words and the way he barked his orders, he was undoubtedly the man in charge.

He flexed his muscles as he waited, seemingly content to pass the time for however long it took the sluggish dude to return. Sometime later, and it was probably only a few minutes, the lazy one returned with a canned drink.

He popped it open in front of Markie and held it to his lips. Then, he dumped it forward. Markie tried to guzzle as much as he could, but the dude purposefully missed his mouth.

The man in the chair laughed. “You dumbass. This dude is known for his talents and you’re trying to choke him with pop?” He snorted at that. “Guy has better reflexes than Jims and my brother spent most of his life on his knees.”

“You’re related to Longs?”

“Jims.” He balked at the nickname. “My other foolish siblings nicknamed him Longs for….” He snarled. “Reasons you probably understand.”

“I didn’t know he had another brother.”

“What you really mean is you thought all the fellas from Vance Holler were either dead and buried or serving out the rest of their lives behind prison bars.” The burly man slowly rose to his feet and stalked Markie like a predator might. After he circled Markie a few times, he grabbed hold of his lower jaw with a rough grip. Sneering, he quickly added, “That’s what you and those idiots you call out as friends were supposed to think.”

Markie stretched his neck as far as it could go. He was certain his assailant meant to snap it then. When he finally released him, Markie drew in a ragged breath and said, “They’ll kill ya….Draegan, Allister, all of ‘em. They’ll be comin’ for ya.”

“And that’s what I’m countin’ on, twink.” He leaned down so they were face to face, nose to nose. “See, I’m countin’ on you to bring ‘em to me. And then, I plan to put every last one of ‘em in their early graves.”

Chapter Eleven

The sun was peeking over the tips of Bays Mountain by the time Serena and Bane entered Trouble’s administrative offices. Draegan took one look at them and just knew—the two shared a new intimacy.

Rather than show his ass, he nodded at Bane and shot Serena a smile. “Not the way I’d imagined starting off this particular morning.”

“Me either,” Serena muttered.

That’s about how he’d figured things. His perfect morning with Serena had been enjoyed by another. Serena had probably slept in Bane’s arms. Lord only knew what kind of good time they might have enjoyed before Mac knocked on their door.

“Those thoughts you’re having? Put ‘em out of your mind. They didn’t fuck.” Mac’s voice was low as he peered over Draegan’s shoulder.

“Well how the hell would you know?”

“I heard some after-foreplay chitchat.”

Draegan’s lips twitched. So the hotshot detective wasn’t a quick draw after all. “Humph. Well, how about that?”

Seated across from Draegan, Allister twirled his phone in slow motion, most likely willing the damn thing to ring. He glanced up at Bane and Serena as they passed him and made their way to the coffee pot.

Allister said, “Take it from someone who knows. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Women are a lot like men where basic needs are concerned but let a good woman make a commitment and there’s no way you’ll win her back.”

“Ellie found her way back to you,” Draegan pointed out.

“She first married Denny for better or worse. She would’ve honored her vows if he’d honored his.” Allister frowned. “I lucked out.”

“Where love is concerned, luck doesn’t have a damn thing to do with it,” Draegan said, believing Serena cared for him as much as he cared for her. Unfortunately, she also had some feelings to sort out for Bane Brice, too.

Bane’s phone rang and he stepped outside to take the call. Serena made her way over to Draegan. Gripping her white Styrofoam coffee cup, she said, “Draegan, I’m so sorry about Markie.”

“Nothing to be sorry about.” Allister stood. “We’ll have him back here before the sun sets this evening.”

Allister and Mac made themselves scarce. Draegan and Serena were left to stare at one another. If Markie had been on the property, now would’ve been the time when he would’ve traipsed inside the office with his box of donuts.

Draegan smiled at the thought.