Trouble Travels in Threes (Trouble, Tennessee 3)

Bane frowned. “I’m with

Serena here. How’s that possible? How could he not know?”

“Oh you mean you didn’t read about that in your files, Detective?” Draegan’s attitude returned.

“I’m not asking you this as a friend, Draegan.”

“So we’re friends now?” Draegan laughed. “Funny. From where I’m seated, I didn’t see us as buddies. You’re just a fella tryin’ to get in my girl’s pants.”

“I’ll let that slide for now,” Bane said, never losing his focus. “Draegan, I’m considered an expert in the area of cults and secret societies. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for Markie to walk around unaware of what he means to the Cobalt Organization?”

“It was too dangerous to tell him.” Draegan’s eyes watered. “Markie’s own parents would’ve eventually handed him over. They weren’t in any position to help him, financially or otherwise. Mac and I made a pact to keep him safe. We put guns in his hands and taught him how to use them. We paid Marines and SEALs to teach us everything they knew so that when we started accepting residents here, we’d be prepared to take care of our own.”

“Don’t you mean Markie?” Bane asked, a touch of arrogance in his voice.

“You’re damn right I mean Markie!” Draegan pushed away from the table. “Yes! Markie is the real reason Mac and I first developed the groundwork for Trouble, but it quickly grew into something more. Look around you, Detective! We have a community here. We have families here. Women who probably wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t built a city to keep them safe!

“It’s easy to judge when you’re sitting over there with your arms crossed across a chest full of condemnation, but ask yourself this—would you have cared about our reasons if your sister had been here? Would you have asked us why Trouble was originally founded if we were protecting someone you loved and offering her a carefree life behind these gates?

“Before you shake a scolding finger at me, or Mac for that matter, you stop and ask yourself how many establishments have been built for one specific purpose only to function as an entity to help in various capacities.

“So yes, Trouble was originally conceived because Mac and I wanted to protect Markie, but by the time we realized just what we were up against, the surrounding cities were already facing a domestic violence crisis, one of the worst in this nation. We turned to our friends and people we trusted and decided to build a city that was as sturdy and strong as the men who would fight for it and its residents.

“Now you go ahead and judge me, but then you look across this table and you ask Serena the difficult question. Ask her.” He swung his gaze at Serena. “Would you be here today if Trouble hadn’t been around? Would you have survived your ex-husband’s wrath if you hadn’t had the opportunity to come here instead?”

Without missing a beat, Serena replied, “No.”

“Draegan, what you’ve done here is admirable,” Bane said. “Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying here. I don’t judge you, but—”

“But you think we should’ve been forthright with Markie.” Draegan took a breath. “You don’t know Markie. He was always a nervous type, always paranoid as shit, always looking over his shoulder as if he thought someone was chasing him.”

“And apparently they were,” Serena pointed out.

“Yes, but Markie didn’t know that. He always said someone was watching him, but had he really believed it, he wouldn’t have had any type of life. He would’ve been so caught up in trying to save himself, he wouldn’t have trained alongside me or my brothers. He wouldn’t have focused on building Trouble into what it is today.

“We gave Markie a reason for living. We believed in him. His family never did. Truth told, they didn’t want Markie to survive past his fourteenth birthday. They became indebted to a secret society that they didn’t begin to understand.”

“His folks were simple-minded people,” Bane said, nodding. “I know all about Markie’s people.”

“Then you know what we did here wasn’t a complete waste. Mac and I saved Markie’s life. And if you were to ask me if we’d do it all again, I’d have to say yes. We wouldn’t change a thing. Because up until now, we’ve kept Markie safe. More importantly, we’ve given him something to believe in, something to work toward, and a purpose.”

Bane seemingly absorbed everything Draegan had said. Then he said, “I’m not one hundred percent certain Vin will ask for the trade.”

Draegan’s tense expression relaxed but he didn’t say anything. Maybe he realized Bane was trying to prepare him for the worst. Perhaps Draegan had already braced for the worst.

“Our guys have been on Vin’s trail for nearly a decade and we’ve never been able to figure him out. I’m not sure if he’s brilliant or truly insane, but either way, we should’ve been one step ahead of him by now and we thought this time, we were. We were pretty sure he’d lure some of you in and then ask for an even trade—your brothers for his. We thought he’d release Markie as a show of good faith, something he’s been big on doing in the past.

“If he’d followed our expectations, he would’ve arranged a meeting spot. He would’ve released Markie once he had you and your brothers, or perhaps just your brothers. Then, he would’ve demanded the release of his brothers and sworn to release yours.” Bane hesitated. “Thing is, Draegan, we would’ve ultimately advised you against the trade.”

“I know that,” Draegan said, reaching for Serena’s hand and reclaiming his seat then. “You would’ve told us that we were as good as dead if we took the deal.”

“And you would’ve taken it anyway.”

“Three or four McCalls have a pretty good chance of fighting their way out of any situation. Markie’s trained, but unless the enemy hands him a sniper rifle, he’s probably not going anywhere, especially in his condition.” Draegan bit his lip, seemingly struggling with so many emotions. He finally ducked his head and squeezed his eyes shut.

It was no use, the tears still leaked from the corners.

“Ah, God!” He shoved away from the table and went to the sink. Looking out over the back lawn, he shook his head and finally said, “Markie’s not like a brother. His last name might as well be McCall.”