Rest,, Rest In Peace: Wolfe Brothers, #5

By Lita Stone and Max Redford

REST is the fifth book in the Wolfe Brothers Series. (This story is best read in order, starting with the 1st book ALWAYS.)

Rane's dead. All should be good. But life for the Wolfe brothers and their women is never simple.

Cam's vicious murdering of Rane has brought him to a very dark place, forcing him to face an ugly truth, a truth his loved ones have already embraced.
Jags has two more visions; an untimely death, a wicked and twisted future. Ignoring the certain truth, he vows to change that which cannot be changed.
Emily's health takes a downward spiral of a turn and she's got a heck of a twisted hill to climb.
And Maggie . . . she's got to pull Cam back to the light, make him accept himself despite the darkness inside him, while at the same she must keep a nine-year-old adopted daughter from traveling the path of pragmatic cynicism, a path Maggie herself has trouble steering clear of.
This story continues from the moment Cam attacked Rane and follows the crew for the next harrowing 24 hours of that fateful night.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aconite Visions
• Release date: Oct 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781536581409

Book preview

Hiya! Max Redford here.

How are you? How is the family? Oh, are the children doing alright? I bet they floss every night like good boys and girls? And we all have to make sure they take their multivitamins daily? Organic, of course. That’s how you raise good, strong children, that and reading to them 15 to 20 minutes daily, getting their teeth cleaned biannually, annual physicals, balanced diet which includes 13 daily servings of fruits and veggies, not to mention the necessary physical exercise.

And—for us adults  

Replace your toothbrush every 3 - 4 months.  

Get a physical every 1 - 3 years.  

Change your oil every 3 - 5k miles.  

Get your teeth cleaned twice a year.   

Do thirty minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise 3 - 5 times a week.

Get eight hours of sleep every night.

Don't forget to register your car, pay your taxes, save 10% of your income towards retirement, get your pets vaccinated, get a mammogram, pap smear/prostrate exam, and a colonoscopy.

Don’t forget teacher appreciation day, mother’s day, father’s day, your in-laws’ anniversary, thank you cards, thinking of you cards, birthday cards and of course, happy holidays cards.

Don’t forget to get your nails done, your laundry done, your floors mopped, bedding laundered, baseboards wiped, flowerbed weeded and termites treated.

Don’t forget practice for cheer, baseball, piano and band.

Don’t forget to give to others: literacy awareness, homeless animals, UNICEF, St. Jude’s, American Red Cross and Hurricane Relief.

Got all that?   

No?

Yeah, me neither.

Let’s get to the crux of it:

After the completion of NEVER Lita didn’t think the Wolfe Brother’s family saga would continue. The Cupcake Killer had finally been stopped and it seemed like everybody was going to end up happily ever after.  

But I wasn’t satisfied with that!

There had to be more of Cam and Maggie, and Jags and Star, and of course, Ajay and Emms.  And Gramps, too!

The sun would rise the next day after NEVER . . .

And with a new day would come new troubles.   

Emms will still get her pups at the end of NEVER, but much happens between Rane’s death and those pups. Cue this volume of the Wolfe Brothers which is set to begin the night Rane dies.

Even though Rane has been buried, there’s no time to  

REST IN PEACE

This is REST, the first installment of Volume 2.  

AND if you’ve been neighboring with us for this long then ya know ya gotta bring your own Igloos to this party, but we’ll provide the beer and the smokes, and the hijinks, and the suspense and the twists— the laughs and the handkerchiefs too!   

Love is reckless - and love is unwavering—and love is blind, deaf, and stubborn.  And love is kindred, and blood, and it survives when it is the purest and most wholesome.   

But Love faces obstacles—it faces darkness, grimness, and all unexpected variables born of life. Husbands and wives can be brought to the brinks of goodbye by the chaos and indifferences that life hurls at them; brothers can come to blows; friends can betray; families can scatter and collapse; and communities can be razed to time-forgotten ruins.   

And only the most stout of convictions can prevail and prolong the principles and values of family, love, and community.

When I first met Lita, my future would-be wife, she’d already completed rough drafts of the first four books: Always, Maybe, Sometimes, and Never.  I still recall the Saturday we spent sitting on the couch in the living room with a warm fire burning and Lita reading the entire series aloud to me. I was so impressed! And this is coming from a speculative fiction writer who’d shied away from stories like this, and by ‘stories like this’, I mean romance.

But after I got to know these characters I couldn’t get enough of them. I wanted to be a part of the storytelling! I helped Lita with the finalizing of Sometimes and Never—a very small part.   

But after Never was published and Lita was feeling melancholy about ending the Wolfe Brothers stories and leaving Cut ‘n Shoot, Texas, I posed the idea of What if this is just the beginning?   

And over the last year we’ve sculpted an additional six book sequel to the original Always - Never books.   

The next three books will be titled

REST

IN

PEACE   

These books will make up Volume Two of the Wolfe Bros. family saga.   

UP

AGAINST

THE WALL

Will make up Volume Three

(Possible Volume Four is also in development)

OUTTA

THE DARK

WOODS   

But rest easy ya’ll!   We’re all neighborhood folk here! Come have a beer with us, or maybe a shot, or maybe a smoke, unless you’re like Gramps and you don’t have any unhealthy vices.

ahem.....

Thank you for sticking with us this far. We are ridiculously grateful for the support and encouragement.

Without further adieu,

REST, by Lita Stone and Max Redford

REST

BOOK ONE, REST IN PEACE

Lita Stone and Max Redford

REST

© 2016 ACONITE VISIONS

All Rights Reserved

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

PROLOGUE

15 YEARS AGO

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Standing in the lobby of Mama Juanita's Mexican cantina, Carolyn gestured for her sixteen-year-old son Ajay to sit on the cushioned bench offered for the waiting diners. She checked her watch and grimaced. Doug—the man she’d been seeing for the past few months—was due to arrive at any moment.

Where the hell was her oldest son Cam?

He had promised to take the night off from work. He knew how important tonight was for her, but she didn’t tell him why this night was important, or he would never have agreed to come.

Although they had not been dating long, Doug had insisted it was time their boys meet. She wasn’t so worried about Ajay. But Cam was another story.

He hadn’t been the same since his father’s unexpected death seven years ago. He distrusted the few men she had dated since Tony’s death and now at twenty-one, a grown man, Cam still didn’t trust strangers.

And Doug and his son would be no exception.

Hopefully, she woefully thought, if things turned out to be long term with Doug, Cam would learn to trust again.

Then there was Ajay.

He’d given her plenty a sleepless night, but not because of any man she might or might not be dating.

No. Her grief came from the Hell Pack, a name given to Ajay’s gang of friends by other students. The members of the gang didn’t recognize themselves as a gang and hated to be referred as such.

She had been to countless school board meetings about the Hell Pack.

Concerned parents.

Concerned citizens.

Concerned school officials.

Some of the gang members had been sent to other schools, some permanently kicked out of school, some left to be punished by their parents. But somehow, the Hell Pack—officially a gang or not—stood strong. And students, citizens and board members knew it.

Although the boys vehemently denied it.

She wouldn’t blame Principal Stanley if he decided to kick Ajay out. He deserved it. But every time she was called down to the school because Ajay got caught drinking alcohol, smoking, or heaven forbid, having sex on school grounds, the principal always gave her that same weak smile.

His own son was a member of the Hell Pack. So he felt her pain and extended Ajay much more graciousness than he should have.

Something about Ajay made others want to follow him. Where he got that trait from she’ll never know. Lord knows his father was no leader. And Ajay surely didn’t get the trait from her. She couldn’t even lead her children to safety, away from the man who claimed to love them as much as she.

Hugging herself, Carolyn paced in the lobby of the restaurant. As she lifted her wrist to check the time again, Doug and what-she-guessed-to-be his son pushed through the front doors.

Doug was a proud father. He’d frequently talk about his son. His name was David, but everybody called him Jags. He was fifteen years old, got okay grades, was genuinely disorganized, a bit flighty and quite the social bug.

As Jags approached, Carolyn noticed he wore very colorful clothes, nothing her sons would be caught dead in. He wore red parachute pants, a blue shirt patterned with large white stars and gold stud earrings, one in each earlobe, barely visible beneath his shoulder-length blond hair.

Doug rushed toward her and she felt herself smile. He embraced her in a hug, whispering in her ear. Hello darling.

When he released her, she offered her hand to Jags. Nice to finally meet you.

He swatted at her offered hand and trapped her into his own hug. Despite her involuntary squeal of surprise, she felt relieved at Jags’ warm reception. As he held her close for an awkward moment, she felt a sense of calm wash over her. Peace wafted from this young man like a subtle perfume.

Hello Mom, he said before releasing her.

Calling her Mom seemed a bit premature and maybe even presumptuous. She let out a nervous laugh. Hi there. She waved Ajay over. As he neared, she cringed at her son’s attire—ripped jeans, stained tee and a jean jacket.

With a wide, genuine smile, Jags inclined his head at Ajay. Hiya.

It was then that the front door of the restaurant swung open and Cam entered the lobby. The scowl on his face was more grievous than usual but at least he’d shown up.

As her oldest son approached, Doug offered his hand but Cam just growled.

He actually growled. Good heavens. What must Doug think?

Doug seemed undeterred. You must be Cameron. I’ve heard so much about you.

Cam shook his head, seemingly unaware or uncaring of the offered hand.

Smiling, Doug lowered his hand. He wrapped an arm around Carolyn. I’m quite fond of this lovely woman. Thought it time we meet.

Cam’s impassioned gaze slid down his body and back up to his face.

Don’t screw this up for me, Carolyn thought.

With his arm still around her, Doug gave a gentle squeeze. With your permission, I would like to continue courting her.

So the man was a little old school but Carolyn found him simply charming, not to mention cute and just plain delightful. And she needed some delightful in her life, especially after the last few years. Doug was the first something-good in her life in far too long.

Normally, she would never push any man she dated onto her sons, but Doug was not just any man. He was different. If the boys would only give him a chance, they’d see.

Doug looked to Cam then to Ajay.

Cam groaned.

Ajay shrugged.

Doug rubbed his hands together. I’m starving. Should we see about getting a table?

Carolyn nodded and the lot of them moved toward the hostess stand.

Cam remained behind.

Carolyn glanced over her shoulder and glared at him but he remained where he stood.

Silent.

Brooding.

She stormed toward her son, readying to give him what-for. But before she could recite her well-rehearsed speech, he held up a hand. Touching the pad of his thumb to the tips of his fingers, he hushed her.

Now she was the one brooding. Why that condescending, arrogant—

His next words gave her pause. Actually, he had shocked the hell out of her.

I like him.

She blinked. Glancing over her shoulder she gave Doug and the boys a quick smile. She turned back to Cam. What the hell kind of game are you playing?

No game.

Then come have dinner and act human for once.

I’m here because you said it was important and it is clear that this was not all that important. And even though you lied to get me here, I’m still playing nice . . . with you. I’ll play nice with you, not him. He shook his head. I really hope it works out but I got big shit going on and I just can’t deal with this family soap opera crap right now.

If you could just give him a chance. She hated how pathetic she sounded but she was desperate. At the same time, she couldn’t blame Cam for his inability to trust.

Things had been rough with Tony. Long ago, she should have left him, taken the boys and ran. But Tony had promised many times that if she ever left him, he’d not only kill her, but the boys too.

Fear kept her by his side. And not only of what he’d do if he found them, but how she would get by in life. She was a high school dropout. The only job she’d ever held was as a waitress. How could she ever afford to provide for her boys making a living one table at a time, two dollars here and three dollars there?

Ironically, she and the boys had ended up on their own anyway, thanks to Tony’s untimely death. She and her children were left to survive on one measly income, amidst a mountain of debt.

Things had been difficult, no question, but not undoable. If only she had the confidence in herself earlier on, before Tony died, before he put her and her boys through hell. If only she knew then what she knew now, she might could have left her husband and spared her boys the abuse.

Looking at Cam now, seeing the angry man before her, she couldn’t help but regret her decision not to leave his father. Like a sponge, he seemed to have absorbed the worst traits of Tony.

Her oldest was a ball of irrational rage and hatred, just like his old man.

But if Cam would only give Doug a chance, he’d see that Doug was nothing like Tony. Doug would be a good influence on Cam, maybe even show him how to live without anger, how to let go of the rage.

He’s got a good job, Carolyn said. He’s kind and polite. She cupped Cam’s cheek. Stubble from his unshaven face poked her palm. She turned his head and noticed a slight cut running beneath his left eye. She looked into her son’s hollow, dark eyes.

Moving her scrutinizing gaze down his body, she stepped backward and saw cuts on his swollen knuckles and speckled blood on the lower half of his shirt. He took what seemed to be a painful breath. His arm cradled his midsection.

She had been so consumed with tonight and Doug and things going well, consumed with herself, she mused wryly, that she was only now noticing that her son looked as if he’d gotten the piss beat out of him.

With a small voice, she asked, What kind of big shit?

Tell ya later.

Now. She pinned him with that motherly look she’d perfected over the years. When he only glared at her, she lifted his tee, revealing a softball-sized purple and black bruise on the left side of his torso.

Through gritted teeth, he whispered, Lisa cheated on me.

Carolyn gasped. She was the one that hit you . . . or did you hit her?

Cam shook his head, a look of disgust and contempt twisting his smug expression. I beat the bastard who stuck his dick inside my woman.

Over his shirt, she palmed the bruise on his stomach. "You beat him?"

Yup.

It seems he got some good hits in himself.

Yup.

Carolyn straightened. She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. You’re right. We should talk about this later.

He tucked his bruised knuckles into the front pocket of his jeans, pulled out a stack of twenties.

Carolyn shook her head. You’re living on your own now. An apartment in the city can’t be cheap. You keep it.

Cam reached toward her face.

Taken aback by this unexpected display of tenderness, Carolyn involuntarily recoiled.

But Cam didn’t touch her face. He slipped a finger under the neckline of her blouse, pinching the fabric between his forefinger and thumb.

Frowning, Carolyn looked down at her own shirt, at the spot that had drawn her son’s attention. A tiny burn hole, probably from a cigarette. She didn’t smoke but the previous owner might have before they’d passed the shirt on to Bear-lee There, a second-hand shop in downtown Cut ‘n Shoot. Still, at $3.50, it was a bargain she couldn’t pass up.

Cam lowered his hand. Roughly, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her forearm toward him. With a muffled curse, he slapped the stack of twenties into her palm.

Carolyn grimaced. Me and Ajay are okay. Really. They’re making me an assistant manager at the restaurant, which means I’ll get to pick my own section and my own side work. The tables in the bar are good for double the tips that I usually get. Not all drunks were mean, she wanted to add but thought better of it. We’re doing okay. Really. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ajay and Jags heading for the exit. Ajay! she called out. Where you going?

He waved her off. None of your fucking business.

Panicked, she looked to Cam. Just as she suspected, he started toward Ajay. She grabbed his forearm. Don’t. It’s not his fault. He had a bad day. Got suspended again. She held the stack of twenties out. Take it. Please.

Ignoring the offered cash, Cam leaned in. This time she didn’t recoil and this time he was actually offering her tenderness. He kissed her on the cheek.

As Cam withdrew, she noticed Doug starting toward her.

Damn. The night was quickly turning disastrous, just as she suspected it would.

She looked to Cam, uncaring of the pleading, pathetic look she knew to be in her own eyes. Please. Come eat with us.

How long’s he been talking to you like that?

Carolyn sighed, exhaled a frustrated breath. It’s just a phase. She laughed, trying to ease the tension. You know him. He’s been in the terrible two’s for fourteen years.

I’ll take care of this.

Doug came up beside her. Sent the boys off to get acquainted. With a tilt of his head, he gestured toward the dining room. Shall we?

Cam turned and strode for the door.

Where you going? Carolyn called out.

Gonna have a talk with Dipshit, Cam said without looking back at her.

As Cam, Ajay and Jags exited the restaurant, Carolyn gave Doug a sheepish smile. He’s a bit protective. She had meant the statement as a compliment but somehow it came out more like an apology.

A noble trait to be sure. With an arm still curled around her shoulder, he ushered her toward the dining room. "I don’t know why you were so worried. I told you things would go well.

CHAPTER ONE

June 9th - Saturday (the night Rane was killed)

––––––––

Ajay stood in his kitchen, ass resting on the lip of the counter, He took Emms into his arms and positioned her between his wide-leg stance. His hands held her face as he examined the scratches on her neck.

Star sat on the sofa beside Jags. Her shaky voice broke the silence. Check behind her ears for signs of bruising or swelling.

Ajay glanced over his shoulder at Star.

Did some work at a women’s shelter. She hesitated, wiped at her own tears with her forearm. A lifetime ago.

Although Ajay had some medical training thanks to the US Army, he wasn’t experienced in treating strangulation. Most of what he treated