Page 145 of Love, Lies, and Whiskey

AS SOON AS Lucas was settled with his treatment, Doc knew what had to be done and wasted no time putting the gears in motion.

Hours later, under the cover of night, he stared down at the man kneeling before him in the snow, blindfolded and gagged, his hands bound behind his back. Gone were the fancy jacket and tie, his shirt ripped at the collar. He was shaking, from the cold or from fear was anybody’s guess, but Doc hoped it was the latter. He wasn’t the type to carry hatred in his heart, but he despised this piece of shit with every fiber of his being.

“Take off the blindfold,” Doc gritted out. “I want this fucker to see my face.”

Cowboy pulled it off, and Marvin Adkin blinked several times, fear rising in his eyes as he took in Doc, Cowboy, Dare, Rebel, Hyde, and Taz.

Doc eyed Adkin. “Not quite the cushy evening you had planned, is it, Marv?”

Adkin bitched, the gag muffling his voice.

“What’s that? I can’t quite make it out.” Doc took out his switchblade and began cleaning his nails with it. “Let me fill in the gaps for you. I would’ve preferred to do this hours ago, when you egregiously invaded my future wife and our son’s personal space.” He crouched in front of him and pointed the knife at him. “But you see, Marv, some things take time. I had to call the PI, and he had to coordinate with the FBI, and they had to get a search warrant. All that shit takes time.”

Letting that sink in, Doc pushed to his feet and began walking slowly around him. “I bet you were excited to get that text from Ana and to meet her at the park.” Standing behind Adkin, he bent down, speaking into his ear. “Surprise. She’s already in protective custody.” He stood and continued walking around him. “Your girlfriend made a deal with the Feds, Marv. She sold you out. We know all about your hidden safe, and the money laundering, and a shitload of your other illegal activities. And that text?” He stopped in front of him, staring him down. “That took time, too.”

He crouched again, enjoying the anger in the asshole’s eyes. “Our computer guy had to hack her phone to send that text asking you to meet her at the park.” He pointed the knife at him again. “I admit, I was a little worried you might not show up, and my guys would be waiting with that van forever. I mean, it can’t be easy to get out at night when you’re married. But then I remembered that your wife had her book club meeting tonight.”

Doc laughed. “Level with me. Did you know there’s no book club? Did you know your wife is probably on her hands and knees right now sucking your buddy’s cock? Your lawyer’s cock?” Anger rose in Adkin’s eyes anew. “I was surprised to find out that Wilson Chambers, the man you trusted with all your wrongdoings, has been fucking your wife for years.”

Adkin’s face reddened as he spewed muffled words against the gag.

Doc pushed to his feet, looking at the other guys. “Did you guys catch that? I don’t think he knew his wife was fucking another man. That’s a shame, Marv. You see, we have pictures. Actually, we have a collection of pictures of you, too. Some with Ana, but cheating isn’t against the law. Although, having a small dick should be. It’s no wonder your wife cheated.”

The guys chuckled.

“But my PI’s been a busy boy these past few months, Marv. He managed to get some pictures of you and some sketchy guys. He’s good, too. He has one of those big-ass cameras that can see a zit on a fly’s ass. Now, that wouldn’t be so bad, if you and those guys weren’t involved with things like extortion and bribery. I sure hope those don’t get leaked to the press.”

“That’d be uncomfortable,” Dare said.

“It sure would. I don’t like to be uncomfortable, and you know what makes me uncomfortable, Marv?” Doc nodded to Rebel and Hyde.

They grabbed Adkin’s arms, hauling him to his feet.

Doc stepped closer, speaking through clenched teeth. “I get uncomfortable when people talk shit about my family.” He pointed the knife at him. “You have said some awful shit about both of my families. Maybe you thought I’d forget what you said after all these years, but my memory is as sharp as a fucking tack.”

He brought the knife closer, holding it against Adkin’s jaw. The blood drained from the fucker’s face. “You feel that fear? That’s how your sixteen-year-old daughter felt when you lied to her and fucked her over. That’s how she felt when you made her marry the wrong man.” It took everything Doc had not to finish off the fucker right that second. “What do you have to say for yourself?” He pushed the knife beneath the gag and sliced it, sending it sailing to the ground, and handed the knife to Cowboy.

“You’re going to pay—”

Doc grabbed him by the shirt, hauling him off his feet. “Shut your fucking mouth before I rip off your arm and shove it down your throat.” He dropped him, sending him stumbling backward into Cowboy’s chest.

“You are one stupid motherfucker. Now you’ve gone and pissed Doc off,” Cowboy said, and with a push of his chest, Adkin stumbled forward.

“You’ve fucked with the wrong family,” Doc warned.

The asshole spit at him.

Doc’s fist connected with his jaw with an audible crack, knocking him off his feet. “Get him up.”

Rebel and Hyde dragged him to his feet.

“Real tough, hitting a guy who’s tied up,” Adkin said, spitting blood into the snow.

“Kind of like when you sicced two bodyguards on a nineteen-year-old kid,” Doc said. “But you’re right. I don’t need to sink to your level.” He nodded to Cowboy, and Cowboy cut the cable ties off his wrists.

Adkin rubbed his wrists. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with. You’re all going to prison for this.”

“I don’t think so.” Doc lowered his voice chillingly. “You see, right now we’re out on a horse rescue. In fact, we met a police officer at the field where the horses were last seen. We’re on his bodycam, heading into the fields to search for them.”