Finding Satisfaction [Satisfaction, Texas 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  “If she’s not under arrest, then you can’t keep her here. Jess, let’s go.”

  “Calm down, Murphy. Do you want me to arrest her? I’d rather we all just sit here and chat like civilized people until the officer from the Chicago PD arrives. He says that she’s just a Person of Interest and that if he can talk to her, maybe they can get a big case cleared.”

  At the words Person of Interest, Murphy felt his body sag in relief. Maybe she just witnessed a crime or something and ran from fear. He turned to Jess, but she didn’t look relieved. If anything, she looked more afraid.

  She turned to him.

  “You said you wanted to help?”

  “Anything.”

  “Take Murphy. Take back to your ranch. Keep him safe for me. Please.”

  “I should be here with you. Cole, he can go.”

  “He doesn’t have a ranch to hi… I meant for Murphy to stay at. Please. I’m begging you. Keep my dog safe.”

  Murphy slid from his chair and took her hands in his. “I promise. But there has to be something more, something else I can do for you.”

  “Dace, when’s the representative from Chicago due?”

  He looked at the clock. “Within the hour, Jess. Maybe sooner. He’s driving up from El Paso.”

  “Go, Murphy. Go now. Do this for me, please.”

  Murphy looked into her eyes. She was on the verge of tears. As much as he wanted to stay and comfort her, he knew that she wouldn’t be alone.

  “Cole, look after our woman. Murph, you’re with me. Dace, I assume you don’t have an objection.”

  “None.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “I’m counting on you, Murphy.” He watched as she leaned down and hugged her dog. “Be a good boy, Murphy. I love you so much and I’ll never let anyone hurt you again. Now go with two-legged Murphy.”

  He didn’t have a leash, but the dog went willingly, albeit clearly reluctantly, with Murphy, even hopping obediently into the passenger seat of his truck. Normally he kept the windows down, but unwilling to give the dog a chance to change his mind and try to get back to Jess, he made sure the windows were rolled up just before he put the truck in gear.

  Everything then happened so fast. A gaudy red Corvette swung into the parking lot, almost hitting him, although when a sports car tangled with a truck, it was usually the car that lost.

  He was going to get out and give the driver a piece of his mind when he realized that Murphy was growling and pawing at the door. At first he’d thought the sounds were because the dog was frightened by the sudden stop, but then he realized that the dog was desperate to get out of the vehicle and at the man in the red car.

  All he saw was the man’s back, but he made a sudden decision and peeled out of the parking lot just as quickly as the other driver had entered. Checking his mirror, he saw the man glance his way, but he didn’t seem to have noticed the dog.

  Chapter 13

  The radio on Dace’s shoulder crackled to life, and he excused himself. Cole took the opportunity to slide his chair closer to Jess’s and take her hand.

  “Don’t worry, Jess. Whatever it is, we can help you. You just have to trust me and Murphy. Even Dace. He’s a good guy. He wants to help.”

  “He’s a cop. He won’t have a choice in the matter.”

  “Clearly you don’t know Dace.”

  “And you don’t know me, Cole. I know you think you do, but we’ve only known each other a few days. I could be a desperate criminal on the run with thousands of dollars of drug money or something.”

  The door banged open.

  “Or something. Where’s my dog, Jessica?”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m her husband. Who are you?”

  “Husband?” Cole felt like he’d been punched in the gut. He turned to Jess. “You’re married?”

  “No. He’s lying. We lived together for a year. We were common-law.”

  “We were engaged.|

  “Yes, and I gave your ring back when I discovered what an asshole you were.”

  “Yeah, and now I want my dog back.”

  “He’s not your dog. He’s mine. Or he was. As you can see, I don’t have a dog now.” She lied, hoping that none of the men would contradict her.

  “You were seen driving a battered Jeep with a large German shepherd dog with you. Clearly, that was Murphy.”

  “Stop badgering her. She said she doesn’t have the dog anymore.” Cole stood up. This asshole was tall, probably a bit taller than Cole, but Cole had fifty pounds of muscle on him. The guy was a poser. He knew guys like him. His pants were pressed just to and his golf shirt had a little polo player on it. His haircut probably cost a hundred dollars. And his muscles came from a gym. They were all about the look. He probably spent hours looking in the mirror. He could probably flatten him with a single punch.

  He walked over to the newcomer, who grinned and stood his ground. He even stuck his hand out. “Detective Lance Dent, Chicago PD. And you are?”

  “None of your business. You’re a long way from home, Dent. What’s your business?”

  Dent smiled. “You her lawyer?”

  “No, I’m her, er…” Cole hesitated and then glared as Lance filled in the blank.

  “Friend, lover, lawyer, dupe?”

  “Cole Reacher. Blacksmith.”

  “Dupe it is.”

  Cole lunged, even knowing as he did so that Dent was deliberately trying to provoke a response. Luckily Dace had been expecting it and got in between the two men.

  “The two of you, sit down now or I’ll arrest you both.”

  “He lunged at me, Sheriff.”

  “And you provoked him. Deliberately. Detective.”

  “I find it’s generally the quickest way to get to know my adversary.”

  “What makes you think I’m your adversary?”

  “You are obviously on her side. That means you are against me. But I’m not here to make waves. I’ve just come to get my property back. Then I’ll be on my way.”

  Cole looked at Dace, who was observing the newcomer closely. Then he looked over at Jess. She looked bored as she lounged back in her chair. She didn’t fool him though. He could see her foot tapping furiously even as the rest of her body was still.

  He took a seat beside her and took his cue from her as he lounged back and waited as Dent surveyed the room. Clearly he thought himself in charge. Dace hadn’t said much until this point. He was never a talkative man, but he wasn’t usually this laconic.

  Now he was going over some cop talk and some paperwork with Dent, and Cole noticed that his Southern accent had gotten thicker, his speech slower and more colloquial. He also observed that Dent was looking more and more superior as the conversation progressed. Arrogant son of a bitch clearly thought he was the smartest guy in the room. He wouldn’t be the smartest guy in the room even when Murphy the dog was here.

  He checked his watch. He’d lay odds Murphy Smith should be back soon, once he dropped off Murphy the dog safely with one of his ranch hands, and he just knew that Dent would rub him the wrong way, too. He wondered idly just how much time he’d spend in jail for assaulting a cop who was out of his jurisdiction.

  He patted Jess’s hand reassuringly as Dace and Dent moved away from the table, continuing their conversation. Dace didn’t look happy as he took a paper from Dent, and then the two men came back to the table and sat down.

  “Let me get this straight. You came here, flashing your badge and talking about a fugitive you were chasing, but you are just chasing after your ex-girlfriend to get your dog back?”

  Cole almost laughed out loud at the incredulousness in Dace’s voice.

  “That’s plumb crazy! And I don’t appreciate being misled like that. We may be a small town, but we have more on our plate than mediating your lovers spat.”

  Cole saw Jess want to respond to Dace, but he squeezed her hand and she subsided. He wasn’t sure where Dace was going, but he knew that Dace was furious and not
inclined to favor Dent. Jess just had to keep letting her ex dig his own grave.

  He saw Dent look at his hand over Jess’s, and he saw the fury flash across his features before he schooled them.

  “Sorry, Sheriff. She may not have the dog with her right this minute, but I know she didn’t get rid of him. That dog is a valid police hero. He was stabbed in the line of duty when we took him in and nursed him back to health. When Jessica ran off with him, I was worried she’d do something crazy like have him put down. I know he’s just a dog to you, but I love him, and I didn’t want Murphy to pay for my sins.”

  “Do you have any paperwork to prove he’s yours and not hers?”

  Dent smiled. He passed Dace some papers and then he sat down opposite Cole and smirked.

  “Look, I know you’ve probably heard some terrible stories about me from Jessica. And I know I have a temper and sometimes can fly off the handle when I’m upset.” He paused and looked at Cole. “Look, that was you who answered her phone, wasn’t it? I admit I may have crossed a line, but she’d been avoiding my calls and I was angry.”

  * * * *

  “No, that was me you were talking to when you called my girlfriend a bitch.”

  Murphy grinned, but there was no mirth in his expression, as all eyes turned toward him when he turned to the stranger who’d insulted Jess. His eyes narrowed as he recognized him as the guy with the flashy car Murphy the dog didn’t like. He took his Stetson off and placed it carefully on the table before turning to Dent and punching him in the mouth before he had a chance to answer.

  Dent went down with a satisfying thud.

  “Glass jaw,” Murphy stated with satisfaction before he turned to Jess, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Don’t worry, my foreman’s looking after the pooch. He’s well protected.” Jess gave a little smile and nodded. He turned back to the man on the floor. It was the guy that Murphy had growled at. Cop or not, if a dog doesn’t like someone, they are not a person worth liking.

  Even worse, he’d threatened Jess and called her names. He glared at Dent who glared back, his bluster slowly returning.

  “You’re getting arrested, asshole,” he declared as he arose slowly, keeping his distance from Murphy. “You’ve just assaulted a cop. Hey, is she banging you both? Remember, I had her first. She’s not that good in the sack to be worth getting arrested over.”

  This time it was Cole who went after him, but Dace got in the middle, and Murphy had to hide his amusement as Dent hit the ground again without Cole even touching him. Dace might be slender and of average height, but the man knew some tricky shit and could floor a man twice his size without breaking a sweat. Clearly, he didn’t like the asshole who’d been insulting Jess.

  “What’s going on? Catch me up, Cole. He really a cop?”

  “Yeah, up north in Chicago. He lied to Dace about being after a fugitive. He’s just a jealous asshole. He claims that he’s down here just trying to get his dog back and that Jess stole from him when they broke up. He says he has the paperwork to prove the animal is his.”

  “He is mine!”

  “Shut up!” Dace, Cole, and Murphy spoke in unison and Dent subsided into a chair, but Murphy saw him looking daggers at Jess who had been watching the proceedings silently, her face growing more and more pale. He’d love to run across the guy in a dark alley. He wouldn’t be so smug afterwards.

  “Look, why don’t you let me settle things once and for all?” Jess offered.

  All the masculine eyes in the room turned towards her.

  “You’re too late, Lance. I don’t have Murphy anymore. I told you. I got rid of him, gave him away.”

  It was like a ping-pong game as the three spectators turned their gazes over to the challenger. Dent, to give him his due, kept a lid on his temper. Pity. Murphy would have liked to have punched him again.

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Believe what you like. I don’t have him anymore.”

  “Sheriff, she’s lying. I know it.”

  “I’d say we are at an impasse, gentlemen, lady.”

  “I guess we are.” Dent smiled and Murphy felt a chill go down his spine. This was not a man he would want to run into in a dark alley, after all.

  “Does that mean Jess is free to go?” asked Cole.

  “It does, although I’d appreciate it if she doesn’t leave town for a while. Jess?”

  “I’ll be around, Sheriff. I have a job, after all.”

  “Okay, go on, get out of here. Smith, Reacher. You two go with her and see she gets home safely. You, Dent. We need to talk some before you leave town.”

  “Oh, I’m not leaving town, Sheriff. You see, I don’t believe a word she’s saying.

  “Jess, you know what I want. Give it to me and I’ll be on my way. You know me, Jess. I never give up, so give in now, babe, and don’t make me do something you’ll regret.

  “Sheriff, she’s stashed my dog somewhere, and I’m not leaving until I find him. Besides, I’ve got some vacation time coming, and Satisfaction seems like a quaint little place. I’m sure there must be a nice little motel somewhere nearby I can stay at. Where are you living, Jess? Not a motel. I would have found you sooner.” He looked at Murphy and Cole. “Are you living with one of your cowboys? Maybe I’ll get me some cowboy boots and one of these ten-gallon hats and find me a nice cowgirl to ride? What do you think, Jessica? Any women around here who would like to find out what it’s like to be ridden by a real man?”

  Murphy opened the door and ushered Cole and Jess out, pausing before he exited.

  “Two words, asshole.”

  “And they would be?”

  Murphy smiled and pointed his index finger directly at Dent’s heart, while the rest of his fingers curled back and his thumb pointed upwards in the approximation of a gun.

  “Yipeekiyay, motherfucker!”

  Then he sauntered out, trying not to laugh as Dent’s jaw dropped.

  If only getting rid of him for good would be that easy.

  Chapter 14

  “Where are we going?” asked Cole as he bundled Jess into the backseat of Murphy’s truck and then slid in beside her.

  “My ranch. It’s the easiest to defend. Lots of armed ranch hands.”

  “Nope. That’s where Murphy is. I’m not leading him to my dog. He is there, right?”

  “Yes, Jess. He’s fine. He’s playing with Ren and having a great old time harassing the sheep.”

  “Fine, let’s go to my place, then.”

  “Why don’t you two go? I’ll be fine.”

  “Really? The asshole claimed you were a criminal and would have hauled you off in cuffs if Dace hadn’t called his bluff. And now I’m an accessory. I’ve got your dog.”

  “I think she’s planning to run. She’s going to take off in the middle of the night and lead Dent away from us and her dog.”

  “I think you are right, Cole. Jess, talk to us!”

  Jess found herself tempted to give in, so she avoided making eye contact until Murphy pulled up in the empty parking space beside Cole’s truck, outside his shop.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get you involved in this.”

  “Well, we are involved with this, with you.” Cole grabbed her wrist and swung her around to him. “Dammit, Jess. We’re in it for the long haul.”

  “Lance Dent’s a dangerous man, and I don’t want the two of you getting hurt.”

  “We can take care of ourselves. Besides, he’d have to be crazy to hurt people because of a dog. I mean I get you love him, the dog I mean, but does Dent want to get revenge on you that badly that he’s expending all this time and energy just to get to the dog from you?”

  Jess snorted. If only they knew. Lance wanted the money back, obviously, and Murphy was just an excuse to harass her. But he couldn’t tell anyone he was after drug money, so he harped on the dog.

  “That wasn’t very ladylike.” The words were stern but Cole laughed.

  “According to Dent, I’m not a lady, I’m a s
lut.”

  Jess saw Cole and Murphy exchange glances, and their faces were far too gleeful for the circumstances. They were up to something.

  She watched as Murphy got out of the truck and looked around. He nodded to Cole, who exited, pulling Jess after him. Then he tossed her over his shoulder and walked over to the door while Murphy spoke to someone on his cell phone. Cole tossed Murphy the key. Two minutes later, they were upstairs in Cole’s bedroom, and Jess found herself draped over Cole’s knees.

  “What do you think you are doing?” She tried to struggle, but he held her down easily with one big hand and his other one caressed her ass through her jeans.

  “I don’t think I’m doing anything. I know I’m going to spank you. I told you that before when you used the S word about yourself.”

  “Murphy, help me!”

  “Nope. It’s my turn next.”

  “You two are a couple of uncivilized cowboys. You can’t spank me. That’s assault. I’m going to call Dace.”

  She struggled harder when she heard the two men laughing.

  “Oh, baby,” crooned Cole. “You tell Dace you want us arrested for spanking and he’d probably paddle your ass himself before sending you back to us.”

  “Besides,” added Murphy, “Dace has his hands full with your crazy ex. That was him on the phone. He can’t arrest him, but he can keep him busy for the rest of the night, which gives us plenty of time to teach you a little discipline. In the morning, we’ll figure out how to get Dent off our backs permanently.”

  “What kind of a town is this?”

  “It’s the kind of town where men look after their women and don’t let other men threaten them. And then don’t let their women put themselves down either, especially not because of who they love.”

  “Cole’s right, honey. When we’re done reddening your ass, you’ll think twice before putting yourself down, won’t you?”

  “Damn it, Murphy. Now’s not the time for fun and games. Dent’s not giving up. He’s going to track me down, and then he’s going to track down Murphy, er, some other property of his that I have, but that’s not important.”