Tangled Ends: The Magnolia Series, #5

By Taylor Dawn

Liam McDermott of the DEA had one job. Bring the infamous hacker, Kat McCormick to the FBI field office in Biloxi Mississippi. With her secure in handcuffs, Liam finds himself running from the people who want her dead. He must protect her no matter what, but can't resist the temptation of the pink haired tech wizard. Lives are on the line as he races the clock to help bring down one of the biggest human and drug trafficking rings in the United States. Can he slay his attraction to Kat long enough to get the job done? Or will he end up in an even more tangled web than before?

Kat McCormick has spent her life hiding behind strings of binary code and screen names. Her hacking ability is second to none but soon she finds herself stumbling across information that puts her at the top of someone's hit list. As she dodges bullets, Kat fights the brewing attraction to the Agent in charge of keeping her safe. Can she open up her heart and mind to help bring down the bad guys, or will she tuck tail and run like she's done most of her life? Follow Kat and Liam as they try to unravel the truth in the fifth and final book in the Magnolia Series by Taylor Dawn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Taylor Dawn
• Release date: Apr 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386274513

Book preview

Chapter One

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"I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG," Kat McCormick screamed as the handcuffs constricted around her slim wrists. The grating click of the metal resonated through her entire body as the ramifications of her crimes slammed into her. She had been careful in staying under the radar in the past couple years but now, she found herself with her face pressed against the dusty hood of a DEA agent’s car. Hacking used to be a way to make quick cash but now, it could have her on the hook for murder.

You’re full of more shit than a Thanksgiving turkey. Liam snickered. If she thought she was getting off that easily, she had lost her damn mind. We traced your IP address which was linked to the framing of Agent Remington Archer of the FBI. I don’t know what world you live in, but setting up someone to take the fall for murder isn’t cool. He added.

Anyone can piggyback off my IP address. There’s no way you can prove it was me. She jerked around as he led her to the passenger seat of his new Camaro. 

Then I guess you’ll have to sit in lockup until we can prove it, huh?

"You’re a dick. Scratch that. You’re a dick that ate another dick and then threw it up."

Your insults don’t phase me, Miss McCormick, he laughed as he opened the car door. Think you can sit in the front seat and behave yourself?

Bite me, she sassed with a venomous look on her smooth face.

"I’ll take that as a maybe." He helped her into the seat, grabbed the seatbelt and pulled it across her.

If you touch my tits, I’m filing a harassment suit against you.

Placing his face just an inch or so away from hers, he said, "If I intentionally or accidentally touch your breasts, Miss McCormick, I have no doubt that you’d like it." He smiled.

"Are you trying to make a pass at me while I’m handcuffed?"

Nope, just stating facts.

Whatever. Even if you were the last man on this earth, I would never be desperate enough to go near you.

Really? Liam raised an eyebrow.

Yep, she countered.

Well, judging by your hard nipples, I’d say you’re lying.

She glanced down at the front of her shirt, then back to his face. "That has nothing to do with you."

Keep telling yourself that, Sweet Pea. Liam stood upright. Shutting the door, he then rounded the hood of the sports car and stood at the driver’s door with his phone in hand. Hitting the speed dial, he waited for an answer on the other end.

Agent Archer, the man on the other end said.

Hey, it’s Liam McDermott from the DEA. I have Kat McCormick in custody, I’ll be dropping her off in about an hour.

We’ll be ready.

He hung up, opened his door and slid behind the wheel. Liam had been keeping tabs on Kat for the past two years. Her genius level hacking skills had landed her in an interrogation room more than once but somehow, she walked away scot-free every damn time. This time, however, he had her, lock stock and barrel. The pink haired hacker was taken down with the help of Caden Madden, one of the best hackers on the entire planet. He also happened to be the younger brother of Agent Ryan Madden of the FBI. McCormick was on the hook for aiding deceased, human and drug trafficking kingpin, Alastair Bordeaux.  She was apparently his go-to gal when he needed something done having to do with computers. According to her bank account, he’d paid her well too. Liam hoped the computer techs would be able to pull valuable information off the numerous computers that were seized at Kat’s hideout. With Alastair Bordeaux dead, the focus was shifted to his partner in crime, Dmitry. They still had yet to uncover the last name for the other man which made it difficult to track him down. The human trafficking industry was growing by leaps and bounds in the United States. Cities that were near major ports seemed to be the central hub for that kind of criminal activity. Liam had originally been investigating the influx of heroin in Biloxi Mississippi, with it leading to the discovery of the human trafficking trade. He now worked side by side with the FBI field office to help bring down the culprits. Bodies were piling up and someone had to put a stop to it. Girls as young as thirteen were bought and sold to wealthy individuals and most ended up dead when they’d served their purpose. Kat was in deep shit for the part she played and Liam wanted to see her put behind bars for the rest of her natural born life.

***

Kat sat silently in the passenger seat of Agent McDermott’s car as he pulled out of the parking lot of the warehouse she’d been using as her hideout. What sucked the worst was that it was her twenty-ninth birthday. It sure was a different way to spend a birthday, that was for damn sure. Yes, she’d been working with Alastair Bordeaux but she never knew what the man was up to. If she’d had known things were as serious as human trafficking, Kat would have never agreed to work for him. Mainly because it hit too close to home.

You’re awfully quiet over there, Agent McDermott said as he drove down the freeway.

Yeah well, maybe I don’t feel like having a nice little chat with you.

Why? Because I have a badge? he sardonically chuckled.

No, because you’re an asshole. Kat was usually one tough cookie. She didn’t take shit from anyone and she’d been in a fair amount of scuffles with other women and men. But sitting there, she didn’t feel so strong anymore. She felt vulnerable and like everything she worked for was crumbling down around her. It was no secret that she committed a crime and Kat was ready to pay the price for it. At least she would be safe behind bars. If Agent McDermott hadn’t busted through her door when he had, Kat would’ve been on the run again. After what she’d seen while hacking her way across some government firewalls, she knew there wouldn’t be a hiding place safe enough for her. Her best bet was to keep her mouth shut and let them toss her into a cell.

Wow, really? he acted like he was shocked that someone would insult him.

Just stop. Stop trying to rile me up. I’m tired and I can’t deal with you right now. She let out a huge sigh. The faster you lock me up and throw away the key, the better.

You’re probably the only criminal I’ve ever heard that from. Why are you so adamant about being locked up? he turned his head to her and raised both eyebrows in curiosity.

Don’t worry about it.

Is there something I should know?

Nope. She tucked one side of her medium length hair behind her ear.

You need to level with me. If you need protection from someone or something, now is the time to tell me. He carried an irritated note to his voice.

You can’t help me. No one can. She whispered.

Instead of responding, he kept his eyes on the road and continued on. It was only about twenty more minutes until they reached the heart of Biloxi and Kat mentally ticked the miles off as they went.

Shit, gotta stop for gas, Liam said while looking down at the dash.

Can you wait? Kat glanced around, panic racking her body.

Not unless you want to be stranded on the side of the road. Chill out, it’s only gonna take a few minutes, he said while rolling his eyes.

She sat there with her cuffed hands in her lap as he whipped the sports car into a gas station and pulled next to a pump. Without a word, he slid from the car, swiped his credit card and began pumping the gas. Kat nearly pissed herself, however, when he opened her door and leaned in. Hey, you need anything? he asked. She shook her head, her cotton candy pink hair flying around her face. Are you okay?

She knew the blood had drained from her face as she peered at the SUV that had just pulled in facing them. The driver had gotten out and was wiping his windshield with the provided squeegee nearby.

We need to get out of here, she looked up at Liam with fear in her eyes.

What is your deal? lines crossed his forehead.

Kat opened her mouth to tell him but her words were cut short as gunshots rang out.

Fuck! Liam ducked behind the open car door. Get down! he yelled at Kat who had already scrunched as far down as she could get in her seat. Again and again, shots sounded around them—some dinging off the large support poles under the gas station awning.

Kat—being a math wizard—counted the number of shots and calculated the time it would take for them to replace the clip in their guns. When she looked up at Liam, she said, You’ve got twenty-three seconds before they reload.

He took the given opportunity and ran around the back of the car. When he hopped into the driver’s seat, he started the engine and hurriedly backed out of his parking spot. The nozzle from the gas pump jerked from the side of the car, leaving fuel guzzling all over the concrete around the pump. Just as he put the car in drive, he yelled, Head down, now! Kat ducked as she saw him reach for his Glock and aim it out her open window. When he squeezed the trigger, her ears started ringing and the smell of gunpowder filled the interior of the car. Immediately afterward, an explosion boomed as he slammed his foot on the gas pedal and peeled out onto the road.

Wanting to see what had happened, Kat sat up straight and looked through the back window. Holy shit, she breathed as she took in the sight. The entire gas station, including the black SUV, was on fire. "Did you do that?" she jerked her head back around and asked with a wide-eyed glare.

"Yeah. Probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but we’re alive." His stoic facial expression caused her to suck in a sharp breath.

Had he been that sexy before he caused the massive explosion? Jesus, she had to get her head screwed on straight and her libido in check. She was in a car, handcuffed while being chased by people who wanted her dead. It wasn’t the time or place to be thinking with her lady parts.

I’m guessing you knew those guys back there? Agent McDermott shoved a hand through his hair and looked over at her.

Not really, she admitted. It wasn’t a lie, per se. Kat didn’t know them personally, but she had a good idea who they worked for.

So you’re telling me, we were followed from your secret lair by someone wanting to kill you, but you don’t know who they were?

No, okay! I don’t fucking know who they were. Can you just hurry the fuck up and get me somewhere safe?

Why?

I don’t have to tell you anything, damn it. Her anger bubbled to the surface, tears building in her eyes as her adrenaline level lowered.

Kat watched him pick up his phone and scroll through the recent calls. When he held it to his ear, he glanced over at her with a softening expression on his face. Hey, yeah this is Agent McDermott again. We’ve got a problem. Seems we had a tail when we left the warehouse. I’m not sure if there’s anyone else following. I’m going to take her to a safe location and lay low for the night. He waited. Will do. Then he hung up.

Where are you taking me? Kat asked in a panic.

Don’t worry, you’ll be safe.

I doubt that, She bit out.

"Listen here, Candy Land. I have a fucking job to do and you happen to be that job. There’s something going on that you’re not telling me and if I were you, I’d get to moving those lips. She stayed silent. You put a member of law enforcement in harm’s way. How can you sit there and be okay with that? At least have some human decency about it."

I’m sorry your life was in danger. If you didn’t notice, mine was too. She wriggled her wrists around inside the tight handcuffs. Can you please take these off, they’re hurting me. She held her hands up.

I will once we get to our location. He blew out a breath and shook his head.

Kat relaxed a bit as he drove further down the road. She knew they were in some deep shit and it was all because of her. Uncovering what she had was an accident and she wished she’d never seen it. But it was too late to pretend she hadn’t.

We’re almost there, Agent McDermott said as he turned off the main highway and onto a narrow paved road.

Kat watched out the window as they traveled about two miles and soon the road opened up to the Gulf. When the car stopped beside a medium sized beach house, she asked, Whose place is this?

Mine, he answered.

For a federal agent, he seemed to be doing well for himself. The home looked fairly new with its dusky blue siding and stark white shutters. Are you sure I’ll be safe here? she inquired as he helped her out of the car.

Yep. I have a state of the art security system, and no neighbors. This is the safest place around. Grabbing her wrists he inserted a key into the heavy metal restraints. Once they popped open, Kat began to rub the soreness the cuffs had left behind. Let me see, he gently lifted one of her hands and looked it over. With each brush of his fingers, Kat’s body began zinging to life. Her pulse picked up, her eyes went wide and she had to fight to keep herself from rubbing her thighs together. I’m sure I have some lotion inside for that, he dropped her hand and turned his attention to her face. Everything okay?

Kat’s chin snapped up, Yeah, why wouldn’t it be?

Your cheeks are flushed and you’re breathing rather hard.

The heat. It’s hot out here. Can we go inside? she stuttered to find an excuse as to why her body was betraying her.

Liam gave her one last glance then turned away and began walking to the front door of his house. Kat was a few steps behind and couldn’t help but admire the way Agent McDermott’s taut ass looked in his jeans. It was as if the jean company molded the rough fabric to the exact specifications of his cheeks, with the pockets acting as neon signs that glowed with the words this guy is 100% fuckable, on them. Kat shook her head hoping the lewd thoughts would dissipate soon. She wasn’t one to ogle a man. Most of her time was spent alone and that’s how she liked it. It’d been years since she had even been on a date and after that little disaster, she wasn’t ready to hop back on the horse anytime soon. Who knew breadsticks were flammable anyway? Once she’d paid off the damage bill to the Italian restaurant, she figured her date would laugh things off. Apparently, lawyers didn’t have the same sense of humor she did.

Living room, the kitchen is straight through there and the bathroom is down the hall on the right, he said while leading her into the house. You can take this room. He opened a door and motioned her inside.

When Kat stepped in she said, Thanks. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she walked around the room checking things out.

I’m sure it’s crossed your mind to run tonight while I’m asleep but judging by the fear on your face earlier, I’d say it’s a better idea to just stay put.

You’re trusting me to stay here without handcuffing me to the bed or something? She knew her mistake once it slipped out of her mouth but it was too late to take it back.

Just as she thought, he stepped dangerously close and placed a finger under her chin. Tipping it up he whispered, "As enticing as it would be to cuff you to a bed, I, unfortunately, have to keep things professional. Kat nodded like she’d been placed under a spell. Stop looking at me like that," he removed his finger and stepped back.

Like what?

Like you want me to bend you over and fuck you.

Her eyes went wide and her heart began to pound heavily in her chest. I wasn’t…I didn’t…