Dirty Tactics Read online

  “Don’t go getting yourself killed,” she whispered, patting his chest.

  He flicked his eyes back to hers and jerked his head in a nod. “I’ll come for you,” he promised.

  “Don’t go making promises you can’t keep, Officer,” Silas snapped. “Let’s go. Now cuff him.”

  Sarena moved from in front of him, out of his sight. He knew that Ashton would come and get her to safety. He walked forward toward Silas, fear no longer lodged in his throat.

  Sarena would be safe.

  “You got me,” he growled, stalking to Silas.

  He met the cold eyes of the ganger head-on. Taser moved behind him. He held back a growl as the first handcuff snapped around his wrist.

  “I’m going to have so much fun killing you. You won’t get as quick a death as my cousin. No, I’m going to draw—”

  He didn’t get to finish his sentence. Mac pounced. He threw his head forward and connected his forehead with Silas’s, cutting him off.

  He didn’t wait for the gangster to gain his footing again. He went after him in a full-blown act of rage. His fist connected with Silas’s face before the gangster was able to right his footing. They circled each other, then Silas swung his fist and missed. Mac would take his anger and rage out on the man who had kidnapped his woman.

  He would die in order to ensure she was safe.

  Mac knew between the two of them, he could easily take the gang leader, but as he also knew, the gangsters wouldn’t fight fair. The other two converged on him, swinging their fists. Mac went down in the fight, taking the hits. As he smacked onto the ground, a boot connected with his stomach. He released a grunt, and the kicks kept coming.

  He turned over onto his stomach to get one last look at Sarena as the sound of a gunshot echoed through the air.

  Chapter 20

  Marcas!” Sarena screamed.

  Ashton gripped her tight against him as the gunfire echoed through the air. She struggled to be let loose, but his strong arms held her back.

  Her body frozen in place, she watched Silas’s body go still. A small dot formed on his forehead, a look of horror etched on his face. His knees gave way, and his body crashed to the ground, unmoving.

  She turned to find the muzzle of Declan’s gun pointed at the melee, still smoking. Declan’s hard eyes were locked on the two gangsters standing around Marcas. She gasped and turned back to where Marcas lay unmoving on the ground. The doors behind them burst forth.

  The Feds converged on the parking lot. The other gang bangers halted with their hands held in the air. The Feds barked orders with their guns drawn. The scene was like something out of a movie. She took in the throng of people rushing around in the once-empty parking lot.

  Sarena broke free from Ashton’s grasp. The federal agents surrounded the van and the gangsters, quickly handcuffing Taser and Smurf.

  “Marcas,” she whispered, watching them being taken away.

  A hand gripped hers as she took a step toward Mac. She turned to find Ashton staring at her.

  “He’s hurt. Let them check him out,” he murmured.

  Her gaze flew back to Marcas to find EMTs surrounding him.

  “I have to go to him,” she snapped, pulling her hand away from him. Curses sounded behind her, and she ran forward. She had to get to him. He was willing to give up his life for her. She rushed forward, dodging the crowd of people. Her arms were still aching from being handcuffed behind her, but she ignored the pain as she flew toward Marcas’s side.

  “Get off me!” he hollered, trying to sit up off the ground. He frantically searched the crowd and relaxed as she made her way to him.

  She bit back a smile. He practically growled at the EMT trying to keep him from getting up. He stood to his feet and swayed a little but kept his eyes locked on her.

  “Marcas,” she cried out, running straight into his open arms.

  He grunted and enclosed her in his embrace. She cried, and her body shook with sobs.

  They could have lost each other.

  “Sarena. It’s going to be okay. It’s over,” he murmured against her ear, gripping her tight in his arms.

  She held on with every breath she drew into her chest. She leaned back and met his gaze, and he wiped tears from her cheeks. His face was battered and bruised, but it was handsome face to her and it belonged to the man who loved her.

  The man willing to give up his life for her.

  “Sergeant MacArthur,” a voice spoke up from beside them.

  Her body stiffened, and Marcas tensed up at the voice.

  “I presume this is Sarena Rucker.”

  “Yes, it is,” he acknowledged, pulling her close.

  She turned to find an FBI agent standing next to them. A few other men dressed in the same blue jackets that had FBI sprawled across the chest stood behind him. His cold eyes flickered to her before turning back to Marcas.

  “She needs to be taken to the hospital. The EMTs will take—”

  “I’m not leaving her,” Marcas growled, cutting off the FBI agent.

  The rest of the SWAT members encircled them.

  “It’s all right, Marcas.” She tried to rub his chest through his ballistic vest, but it did nothing to calm the rage that was brimming from Marcas.

  His murderous rage was locked on the agent. She assumed they had a bad history together, going by the looks they were shooting each other.

  “This is exactly why I didn’t think you needed to be a part of this rescue mission. You are too close to the victim—”

  Marcas moved quicker than Sarena could blink. He had his hand wrapped around the agent’s neck. SWAT and FBI moved in, trying to pull Marcas off the FBI agent. She was pushed out of the way during the scuffle.

  “Motherfucker.” Marcas’s curse rang through the air.

  Declan and others finally dragged him back away from the agent.

  “Control yourself, Sergeant, before I have you thrown in jail for assaulting a federal agent,” the man croaked, trying to straighten his clothing.

  “Marcas,” she called his name, reaching his side again.

  His feral eyes turned to her. He shook his men off and pulled her to him.

  “No one will be throwing my men in jail,” a voice boomed.

  “Captain,” voices murmured.

  She turned with Mac. A tall man in an official policeman uniform stood there.

  “Captain Spook. Your man attacked me.” The federal agent straightened to full height.

  If the situation wasn’t so serious at the moment, Sarena would have laughed at the federal agent trying to tattle on Marcas.

  “I demand an apology.”

  “Get the hell away from my men, Special Agent Gamble, and go do your job,” Captain Spook growled.

  The agent sputtered but seemed to think twice about whatever he was going to say. The FBI agents turned and walked away.

  “You men did one hell of a job,” Captain Spook began, facing them.

  Murmurs went around as the men all nodded and shifted in place. She looked up at Marcas and felt safe and secure in his arms.

  “Captain Spook—” Marcas was cut off by the raising of the captain’s hand.

  “Mac, go get your woman checked out.” Captain Spook nodded to Sarena.

  Marcas tightened his grip on her.

  “And while you’re at it, you get checked out, too. That’s an order. The rest of you, I expect full reports on my desk first thing in the morning. Declan, you know the routine. Let’s go.”

  The captain motioned for Declan to follow him. Declan nodded to her and Marcas before he followed behind the captain.

  “Thanks guys,” she said, looking at Marcas’s men.

  They acted bashful at her thanks.

  “It’s no problem,” Ashton replied. “We know Mac would go through the same for us. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

  “Keep an eye on her, Mac.”

  “Always,” he replied, bending down and scooping her up.

  She crie
d out, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Marcas MacArthur, put me down. You’re injured,” she sputtered.

  He walked toward the closest ambulance. “Just a few bruises,” he muttered then shouted for the EMTs to come check her out.

  “I’m fine.” Pain in her shoulder made its presence known, and she grimaced. She guessed when her adrenaline had been pumping it hid her pain. The medics brought down their gurney from the ambulance.

  Marcas gently laid her on the gurney, his concerned eyes focused on her as the EMTs surrounded her.

  “Be careful with her or I’ll punch you in the face,” Marcas threatened the medic.

  The guy’s face grew pale as he looked into the fierce eyes of Marcas.

  “Marcas. Let them do their job,” she murmured, grabbing his hand and entwining their fingers.

  “I almost lost you,” he whispered, leaning toward her and resting his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry I laughed at your movie.”

  “What?” She gasped, confused as to what the hell he was talking about. Did he have a concussion from the fight? “Marcas, what on earth are you talking about?”

  “The cop from the movie. True love. I get it.”

  His serious eyes met hers, and her heart swelled with love for him. He had laughed at the cop in the movie, but now, looking into his eyes, she knew he was dead serious.

  He had become that cop. Willing to give his all for her.

  She smiled at him, ignoring the medics.

  She placed a small kiss on his lips and knew he had gone to Hell and back to ensure she was safe. She’d just have to show him how much his actions were appreciated.

  Epilogue

  Three months later

  Mac was manning the grill. Laughter filled the air on his deck. He glanced around and found Sarena and her family enjoying themselves on the patio. As if feeling his eyes on her, she glanced up from her conversation with her mother.

  “I love you”, she mouthed to him.

  His heart skipped a beat, and he smiled at her. He threw a wink her way, which made her dimples appear deep her in cheeks as she grinned back at him.

  Since the night he and his men had to rescue her from the clutches of the Demon Lords, she’d moved in with him. The past few months had been the best of Mac’s life. He finally understood what love was. Just the thought of losing Sarena had him realizing how much she had come to mean to him in such a quick time. He’d learned life was short and one should grab the one they loved and hold on to them forever.

  “You doing it today?” Declan murmured, coming to stand by his side. Declan took a sip of his beer and eyed Mac.

  Mac had invited his men over for their quarterly barbecue. Some of the guys were in the yard playing a pick-up game of flag football.

  This time was more special. He’d invited their parents and brothers over for this gathering. His family had been drawn to Sarena since the moment they had met her.

  He’d made the decision to make his and Sarena’s relationship official.

  His friend had been right all along. Sarena was the kind of woman who deserved a man’s last name.

  He’d be that man.

  He wanted forever with her.

  “Yeah,” he murmured.

  The box in his cargo pants was burning a hole in his pocket. He’d purchased the ring a few weeks ago and needed to choose the right time to present it to Sarena.

  Now, seeing her surrounded by their friends and family, he knew this was the right time.

  “Watch my six,” he murmured, putting the spatula down and moving away from the grill.

  “Always,” Declan replied immediately. “But right now I’m going to watch these burgers,” he muttered behind Mac.

  Mac locked his eyes on Sarena and made his way across the oversized deck.

  “Sarena.” He cleared his voice.

  She turned her eyes to him and smiled up at him, tilting her head back as he stood next to her chair. His heart was racing a mile a minute. He’d never been so nervous before a day in his life. He reached for her.

  “Hey, baby. What’s up?” she asked, laughing when he pulled her up from her chair.

  He could feel everyone’s eyes on them as he gathered her to him. Her body instantly molded to his as it did every time. They were a perfect fit.

  “I love you,” he murmured, staring deeply into her eyes.

  The music was lowered. She returned his gaze. He reached up and brushed her hair away from her face.

  She would be his future.

  “I love you, too. Marcas. What is going on?” She gave off a nervous laugh and looked around to see everyone had stopped what they were doing and observed the two of them.

  His men had shit-eating grins plastered on their faces.

  “You’re acting weird.”

  He glanced at her parents, and they nodded to him. A week ago, he’d met with them behind her back and asked for her hand in marriage. He’d even had the talk with her brother, Harden. Knowing he had the blessing of her family and best friend Ronnie, he was going to do the one thing he never thought he’d ever do.

  He got down on one knee.

  “Marcas,” she exclaimed, her hand covering her mouth.

  He brandished the small black box in his hand. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized what he was doing.

  He opened the box, revealing the three-carat ring. “Sarena, marry me.” He didn’t need a long, drawn-out proclamation of love. Every day he had made sure she knew he loved her. She meant everything to him, and he wanted to bind her to him forever.

  The tears fell down her cheeks, and she nodded. Hooting and hollering from their friends and family filled the air, and she held out her hand to allow him to slide the ring on her finger.

  It fit perfect.

  He stood and wrapped his arms around her, and her body shook. He tilted her head back and wiped the tears from her eyes.

  “You’re crazy, you know that, right?” She laughed, reaching up and entwining her fingers at the base of his neck.

  She was the most beautiful woman in the world to him. Her bronze skin practically glowed as she stared up at him.

  “Crazy over you,” he murmured and proceeded to cover her mouth with his.

  * * *

  The End

  A Note From the Author

  Dear reader,

  Thank you for taking the time to read Dirty Tactics. I hope you enjoyed Mac and Sarena’s story! If you love this book and want more from this series, please leave a review!

  Reviews help authors know reader’s reactions and that you want more from us! Thanks in advance!

  * * *

  Warm wishes,

  Peyton Banks

  * * *

  P.S. My good friend Shani Greene-Dowdell is releasing her next book, Taken by the Billionaire! Make sure you check out the short snippet at the end!

  About the Author

  Peyton Banks is the alter ego of a city girl who is a romantic at heart. Her mornings consist of coffee and daydreaming up the next steamy romance book ideas. She loves spinning romantic tales of hot alpha males and the women they love. Make sure you check her out!

  * * *

  Sign up for Peyton’s Newsletter to find out the latest releases, giveaways and news! Click HERE to sign up!

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  Want to know the latest about Peyton Banks? Follow her online:

  Also by Peyton Banks

  Current Free Short Story

  Summer Escape

  * * *

  Interracial Romances (BWWM)

  Pieces of Me

  Hard Love (Coming 2018)

  Dirty Tactics (Special Weapons & Tactics 1)

  Dirty Ballistics (Special Weapons & Tactics 2) (TBD)

  * * *

  Mafia Romance Series

  Unexpected Allies (The Tokhan Bratva 1)

  Unexpected Chaos (The Tokhan Bratva 2)

  Unexpected Hero (The Tokhan Bratva 3)

  Taken by the Billionaire

&nb
sp; by Shani Greene-Dowdell

  My wedding day was the happiest day of my life. I felt like a princess stepping into queendom when I strapped on my off-white satin wedding gown and strappy heels the day I became Mrs. Tess Knox.

  “Marissa, I can’t believe this is happening,” I said to my best friend who had been by my side since forever. She’d stuck by me when other friends and lovers left me high and dry. Marissa was my down by law rider. If there was one thing I could depend on, I could depend on her loyalty and love for me, and that meant the world to me.

  I needed her steadiness. I was used to being left alone. My parents died in their late fifties, Mom succumbing to a stroke from overwhelming grief only a few days after the burial of Dad. Therefore, Marissa Brown and my soon to be husband, Amiri Knox, had been the two people I loved and depended on more than anything. Both brought much needed stability into my life. Amiri my lover of all times. Marissa my unwavering rock to lean on. With them by my side, I could face the world.

  Nothing made me prouder than when my best friend stepped down from her place as my maid of honor to give me away. I never imagined her gorgeous smile that day hid something deep inside that would ruin me. When my friend’s dark secret was finally revealed, it left me struggling to salvage the crumpled pieces of my heart, all because of a salacious affair that would leave me with nowhere to turn, no one to trust.

  * * *

  Sign Up for Shani Greene-Dowdell Mailing List to get updates on this new release HERE!

  Taken by the Billionaire releases July 26, 2018!