Link'd Up

  Contents

  COVER PAGE

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  WREAKING HAVOC SNEAK PEEK

  THANK YOU!

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Copyright © 2018 by Harley Stone

  All rights reserved.

  Published in the United States

  Dedicated to the men and women who have fought and bled for our country only to come home irrevocably changed.

  No words could ever sufficiently express the gratitude you deserve, but please know that I see you and appreciate you.

  Thank you!

  Link

  I HAD TO hand it to her, the bitch had balls. Wearing some tight-ass navy blue business blazer that put her perky tits on display, a skirt that made her round ass pop, and high heels that begged to be draped over my shoulders, renowned Seattle criminal defense attorney, Emily Stafford, controlled the courtroom. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a bun, accentuating high cheekbones, big blue eyes, and pouty, kissable lips. The photo from her firm’s website—the one I’d spent the past two nights jacking off to—didn’t do her justice. She wore a golden band on her left ring finger, but she wasn’t married. I’d checked. Most likely she wore it to dissuade creeps like me from stalking her fine ass.

  The witness she was currently cross-examining had to be in his mid-thirties with lots of muscle, but no actual strength. Seemed like the kind of pussy who spent half his life in the gym but would piss himself if someone threw so much as an insult his way. He had no clue how to handle the calculated look Emily leveled at him as she asked him to repeat his testimony.

  His eyes flickered around the courtroom like he was waiting for someone to step in and rescue him from her. “On January thirteenth, I dropped my wife off at seven-twenty a.m. for her shift. That’s when I saw Mr. James, the defendant, loitering in front of the Quick Mart.”

  “Loitering?” Emily asked.

  She looked up from the paper in her hands and lowered her glasses to the tip of her nose, like some librarian who’d just caught a loud-mouthed trouble maker tearing shit up in her library. Her no-nonsense demeanor was sexy as fuck, causing my jeans to tighten uncomfortably. I shifted and reminded myself why I was here. The thought of my best friend behind bars had the desired effect, calming my member down immediately.

  “That’s a strange word to use. Very legal sounding. What makes you think Mr. James was loitering?”

  “He didn’t have a shopping bag, so he wasn’t buying anything. Just standing there, leaned up against the wall with his arms crossed. Looking threatening.”

  Her eyebrows rose as she looked over the witness’s physique before glancing at her much smaller, younger, black client. “You felt threatened by Michael James?”

  “Well, not me, personally.” The witness leaned forward, hands on his knees. No doubt the dumbass realized the corner she’d backed him into and was trying to figure out how to defend his manhood without sounding like a liar. “But I could see where others would find him threatening.”

  Emily nodded, a faint smile ghosting her lips. “You said you dropped your wife off at seven-twenty, but Mrs. Watts’ shift doesn’t begin until eight. Why’d you drop her off so early?”

  “I don’t remember. Probably had to be to work early. Maybe a meeting or something.”

  “You don’t remember the reason, but you remember the exact time you dropped her off? That seems strange, don’t you think?”

  “Not really. I looked at the clock as I dropped her off. I usually do.”

  One perfect eyebrow arched, Emily froze so the jury could see her reaction. “You looked at the clock on January thirteenth and made sure it was exactly seven-twenty a.m.? Are you absolutely certain?”

  “Yes.”

  He was lying. The entire courtroom had to know it, and apparently Emily had the documentation to prove it. She presented some signed statements to the judge that showed he’d clocked in late for work that day.

  “I probably ran errands after I dropped her off,” he protested. “Sometimes I do that. I stop for coffee or a breakfast sandwich. Those drive-thru lines can take a lot longer than they look.” He smiled at the jury. “I’m sure you all know what I mean.”

  Emily broke up his attempt at connection when she approached the bench to provide documents from Mrs. Watts’ boss, claiming that she was also late to work that day.

  “Are you positive you dropped your wife off at seven-twenty, Mr. Watts?”

  His eyes darted to the defendant before landing on the prosecuting attorney. “I-I-I thought I was, but now I realize I could be mistaken. That was more than a month ago. But I know that one of the mornings I dropped her off early and he… the defendant… was loitering.”

  “You’re not sure. Why are you so willing to risk my client’s freedom on something you’re not sure of?”

  The prosecuting attorney jumped to his feet. “Objection!”

  “Withdrawn. But I will remind the court that this is a criminal trial and since we still live in the USA, the law requires proof beyond reasonable doubt. Regardless of the witness’s disdain for the defendant’s race. Isn’t that right, Mr. Watts?”

  “Objection, your honor,” the prosecutor repeated. “Badgering the witness.”

  According to rumors, Emily Stafford didn’t just badger witnesses, she fucking ate them for breakfast, which was exactly what I’d come to see for myself. Enjoying the show, I leaned back, kicking my steel-toed boots onto the pew in front of me to get comfortable.

  I needed a sit-down with Emily, and had no intention of leaving until I said my piece. I’d tried going through the appropriate channels—namely, calling her office to make an appointment—but the dickwad screening her calls wouldn’t patch me through. Time to go over that little piss ant’s head and straight to the top.

  And fuck, I’d love to see Emily on top. Especially wearing those heels. The glasses, too.

  Court ended a little past four p.m. Ass asleep from sitting so long, I moseyed out the door, wandered toward the entrance, leaned against the wall, and waited. A steady stream of suits passed by, giving me a wide berth and sideways glances as they went. The crowd died down and there was still no sign of Emily, so I pushed off the wall and headed back the way I’d come.

  Turning the corner, I caught sight of her sweet ass stepping into the elevator. I kicked up my heels and hustled down the hall, arriving barely in time to shove my hand between the doors before they closed. They sprang open and I hurried in, coming face-to-face with one sexy attorney.

  Wisps of hair had come loose from her bun to frame her beautiful face. Perceptive, bright blue eyes gave me a quick once-over before her hand went into her bag and she took a step back. The fear in her eyes was unmistakable, and I can’t say I blamed her. Wearing jeans and my cut over a short-sleeved T-shirt that revealed my fully tatted-up sleeves, most people would take one look at me and assume my time in the courthouse should be spent under guard and within the confines of handcuffs.

  Still, it rankled.

  “Is it the tats or the cut?” I asked.

  “What?”

  She had a nice voice. Not hi
gh-pitched and annoying like some of the broads I knew.

  “The reason you’re lookin’ at me like I’m about to attack you. Is it the tats or the cut that has you trying and convicting me before I even get the chance to open my mouth, counselor? And what are you reaching for? I know you can’t have weapons in the courthouse.”

  Straightening, she eased her hand out of her purse and pushed the door close button, sending the elevator to the fifth floor. “Habit.” She patted the outside of her bag, as if confirming that it was lacking anything that could protect her from me. “I don’t know you, we’re alone in an elevator, and I’m cautious. And, might I add, I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

  Damn, she was fine. Confident, intelligent, sassy, sexy-as-fuck, if she knew half the things I wanted to do to her, she’d be wishing for whatever self-defense trick she usually carried so she could hit me with it. Maybe a good pepper spraying, or a few volts of electricity would get my libido under control. No matter how fine she was, my purpose for being here was much more important than a roll in the hay. Or a roll in the elevator, as it may be.

  “I have a case I hope you’ll be willing to take,” I said.

  “Then you should call my office.”

  “I’ve tried. Please. Just hear me out.”

  She looked me over again, as if forcing herself to give me the benefit of the doubt. Something flickered in her eyes. Interest? Attraction? I couldn’t tell, but I sure as hell wanted to find out.

  “Dead Presidents?” she asked, reading the patch on my cut. “Never heard of them. That some sort of gang?”

  “No,” I snapped. Then, reminding myself that I needed Emily’s help, I reined in my temper. “Sorry. Gang is an offensive word. We’re a motorcycle club. All ex-military, and we specialize in helping vets get back on their feet after they come home from the service.”

  Her expression changed. Softened. “Sorry. I didn’t—”

  “Don’t worry about it. Name’s Link. I’m the club president.”

  “And you’re in need of legal assistance?”

  I nodded. “My sergeant at arms is in jail for attempted murder. Attacked the wrong dumbass… some mayor’s kid.”

  Her eyes widened. “Mayor Kinlan’s son? Your friend’s the one who put Noah Kinlan in intensive care?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sorry, not interested.”

  The elevator dinged and the doors opened. I was running out of time. I hit the door-close button and turned to face her. “You haven’t heard the full story,” I blurted out. “I came here because people say you’re fearless and persistent and you always ferret out the truth. That true? Or is it bullshit?”

  She folded her arms across her chest and said, “You have one minute. Talk.”

  I took a deep breath and let it all out, “My club brother, Havoc, stopped off at The Line to have a drink. After his beer, he went out back to light up a smoke and finds this girl screamin’, skirt hiked up around her waist and some asshole plowin’ into her as she’s begging him to stop. We don’t put up with that shit, and Havoc jumped in and beat the punk to a pulp before two of the bar’s regulars came out and interfered. They called the cops and Havoc got thrown in the slammer while this shithead is plastered all over the papers like some goddamn hero.”

  “Wait.” Her eyebrows had crept half way up her forehead. “You’re telling me Noah Kinlan was raping someone?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m tellin’ you. The papers sure as hell aren’t saying it. It’s like it never happened. Like Havoc snapped and tried to kill him for no good reason, but I’m tellin’ you I know my friend. No doubt in my mind that he lost his shit and tried to kill the asshole, but he wouldn’t make up some story about a girl getting raped.”

  Expression still stunned, she shook her head. “But what happened to the girl?”

  I shrugged. “No fuckin’ clue. My guess is that the mayor paid her off or made her disappear or something. Havoc said he saw her being loaded into an ambulance, but I haven’t been able to find hide nor hair of her.”

  “What about witnesses? The bar regulars?”

  I shook my head. “I went back to the bar and asked around, and nobody’s sayin’ shit.”

  Emily snorted. “This is crazy. You can’t find the victim, you have no witnesses, sounds like some sort of nonsense you cooked up to get your friend out of jail. You expect me to believe this? Your time’s up.”

  She pushed the button to open the doors and stepped out of the elevator.

  “No,” I replied, following her as I pulled a sheet of paper out of my pocket. “I don’t expect you to believe anything. If you’re half the lawyer I suspect you are, you’ll figure out the truth for your damn self. Havoc’s real name is Marcus Wilson.” I handed her the paper as I lengthened my stride to keep up with her. For only being about five-and-a-half feet tall, she had a fast gait. “Here’s everything I know about the case. It’s not much, but please, at least look into it.”

  A couple passed us, and then Emily paused, looking at me as she stuffed the paper into her purse. “You were in court all day today, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah. I couldn’t see any other way to get to you. I’d do it again, too. I promised Havoc I’d help him outrun the demons he picked up while in the service. He was getting his shit together until he saw that girl bein’ raped. He might have gone a little overboard, but he did the right thing—protecting someone who couldn’t protect herself—but because this Noah dickwad has a powerful daddy, Havoc’s rotting in the county jail for it. You seem like a nice woman and I sure as hell don’t want to drag your ass into this mess, but quite frankly, you’re the only lawyer with the balls to do it.”

  Lips pursed, the slightest tinge of pink coloring her cheeks, she stared at me for a couple of beats before asking me for a dollar.

  “A dollar?”

  “Yes. There needs to be a monetary transaction so I can honestly say I’ve been paid to represent Mr. Wilson before I go speak to him.”

  She was going to talk to Havoc. Relief threatened to cripple me, making me want to lean against the wall for support. It had been five sleepless nights since Havoc had been locked up and I finally had the barest glimmer of hope. Pulling out my wallet, I handed her two crisp one hundred-dollar bills instead.

  She arched an eyebrow at me in question.

  “It’s a retainer,” I replied.

  “I’m not promising anything. Said I’ll talk to him, not that I’ll take the case.”

  Folding her fingers closed around the bills, I nodded.

  “I’ve read all about the clients you take on, and no way you’re gonna let some asswipe get away with raping a girl while you can do something about it. My contact info’s also on that paper. I look forward to hearing from you.”

  She stared at me for a beat before shaking her head and cracking a smile. “Still not promising I’ll take the case, but after my meeting, I will go talk to him.”

  “That’s all I’m askin’,” I said. “Thank you.”

  Then I got another eyeful of Emily’s round ass as she turned on her heel and walked way. She glanced over her shoulder at me one last time before turning the corner.

  I smiled to myself, knowing I’d see her again.

  Emily

  HE WAS GOOD. Really good. Link, the president of the Dead Presidents motorcycle club had left me with two hundred dollars in my hand, a few well-placed compliments warming my cheeks, and a thirst for more information about this case… and about him. My emotions had been played, but I couldn’t even be mad because of the authentic, heart-felt concern he’d shown for his friend and the missing victim.

  It was clear this was about more than getting this Havoc character out of jail. A girl had been raped, and Link wanted to see the guilty party pay. I got it. I understood his commitment to justice, because I shared it. That commitment had driven me through law school, had overwhelmed the need for a husband or family of my own, made it almost impossible to focus during my meeting, and n
ow it had me marching to my car with a renewed sense of purpose.

  Popping a bluetooth into my ear as my Jaguar purred to life, I called the office.

  My assistant, Jayson, answered on the second ring, “Hello Dark Mistress, how may I assist you?”

  Being only slightly more flamboyant than RuPaul, Jayson liked to change up how he addressed me based on his mood and dating situation. Although his demeanor was far from professional, he was the most competent assistant I’d ever had, and the friendship we’d managed to foster over the years kept my life far from boring.

  “I take it your date with Ryan went well?” I asked.

  “Oh, girl, yes. He was such a gentleman. Probably too much of a gentleman if you catch my drift. But we’ll chat about that later. How was court? Did you make Mr. Watts curl into the fetal position and cry?”

  I laughed and pulled out of the parking garage. “Maybe a little.”

  “I wish I could have been there. I’ve gotten a ton done today, though. The files you asked for on the Minor case are on your desk, and I was finally able to get in touch with Miranda Hepner. You have a meeting booked for tomorrow at ten, and I’m counting on you to give that skanky little ho hell for not returning my calls. I know she’s pissed because I don’t feel the love connection, but she treated me like a telemarketer, Em. You need to remind her that I’m not her new gay bestie, but the assistant to the most powerful attorney in the city and the bitch better take my calls. Next time she dodges me, I’m liable to head to her office and rip out her nasty weave.”

  Miranda Hepner was an attorney I sometimes teamed up with. Apparently, she was lonely, because she’d latched onto Jayson the instant she saw his trendy outfit and immaculate manicure, insisting she needed a gay shopping buddy or a token gay friend, or something. When he’d turned her down, she’d immediately gone catty, dodging his calls and having him deal with her assistant, who kept insisting Miranda’s calendar was full.