Breaking Storm: A Dark Chicago Underworld Romantic Suspense (Storm Duet 1)

By Denise Baer

A street fighter and his childhood crush. A forced marriage. Both are hellbent on leaving the streets of Chicago, except the gang alliance won't let them.

TEAGAN

• Language: English
• Publisher: Baer Books Press
• Release date: Mar 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9781958343074

Denise Baer

Denise Baer has gone through life in ecstasy (not the drug). At times, she couldn’t quite remember where she was or how she got there. But that’s a story for when she gets to know you. For now, she’d like to concentrate on her successes..., which aren’t too many. She’s not an award-winning author, never starred in a porn, or entered a beauty contest.She’s just a regular gal who likes potato chips on her sandwiches and says ‘member’ instead of remember. You can take the girl out of Chicago but you can’t take Chicago out of the girl. If flip-flops were the only form of footwear, she’d go without because she’s not crazy about feet thongs.A life in Germany hasn’t stopped her from letting her national roots sprout. She sings with the windows wide-open, screams at the television while watching the Chicago Bears, and talks to her dog, Shakespeare, during their daily walks. She’s known as the ‘American’, and while shopping, bike riding or walking, let’s out a few loud ‘Guten Morgen’ or ‘Guten Tag’s’, which shakes everyone up. And she won’t hesitate to use a screwdriver when locked out of her flat to open the door Chicago style.During the winter months, Denise can be found on the couch, writing or revising with a spiced chai in her hand. And in the summer, out on the balcony with a Captain Morgan and Coke Light.If you want to check her out or put her on your banned list, please stop by one of my sites. Any one of them will do. Tschüß!

Book preview

Chapter 1

A SUMMONS FROM TWO RIVAL gang leaders isn’t a good sign, and my dad, William Malone, is one of them. I should have never responded to the message notification on my phone. My dad and I are like Stalin and Lizzie Bennett. All he told me was to meet him and James Cooper, a rival leader, and Joey Cooper, his son at the Pavilion Café near Printer’s Row. It’s so windy that my hair is beating the crap out of me while I stand outside the café, watching the three of them seated at a table in the back. Chicago is the windy city, but if you ask me, it has more to do with the turbulent gangs than the weather or politicians. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before opening the door.

The café isn’t different from any other, aside from its elongated depth as opposed to width, and the lighting dating back to the 60s. Chairs and booths are adorned with torn, red seat cushions. A musty, stale grease smell hovers in the air. Dad and James are facing my way, and Joey has his back to me. Joey and I were in grammar school together, but I wound up at a Catholic high school, and he went to the public one in his neighborhood. I haven’t seen him since I was sixteen. From the broadness of his back, I’d say he’s been a friend of the gym.

My dad notices me first and gives me a ‘you better behave’ look. On the rare occasions my dad and I are in the same room, we’re usually at each other’s throats. James Cooper gives me a Joker smile, creepy as hell, and then Joey turns and stands when he sees me. Yes, he has done a lot of growing. A tower of a man. My lips part and I’m forced to tilt my head back to make eye contact. Has he always had those mint-green eyes? I wouldn’t mind giving him a finger comb on the top of his black hair and scratching the short sides. The stubble beard accentuates his clean, strict jawline.

He pulls out my chair, the one across from my dad, standing with his hands on the back of it, waiting for dorky me to sit. In this short amount of time, I’m staring at Joey Cooper, admiring his growth spurt. I give a quick smile, feel the redness traveling up my neck and face, and plop in the chair.

James holds his hand out and says, It’s nice to see you, Teagan, and I have to say, you’ve grown up very nicely. Very nice… indeed.

The creep factor rises as he takes my hand and kisses it. I never liked the man, so it’s no wonder I’d want to dunk my hand in scalding water to remove his disgusting saliva from it. I fix the napkin on my lap and give a slight nod to Joey.

Dad ends the introductions by saying, I’m glad the two of you could make it.

I snort out, Like we had much of a choice.

That’s enough, Teagan! He glares at me until I purse my lips and look down. James and I met recently about the gang activities that are starting to crowd our territories. Aside from the small gangs who pay their dues, James and I have ruled this city for years, and we’re not going to let a new generation of fuckers take over. I glance around, embarrassed by my dad’s language, and for the first time I realize we’re the only ones in here, except for the bodyguards.

Not expecting a response, he continues, So, we decided to make peace by strengthening our alliance through a marriage.

My napkin falls to the floor, and as Joey picks it up, I ask, And that has to do with me how?

James sits back, folds his arms over his chest, and says, The two of you are getting married.

Joey hits his head while coming up from under the table after retrieving my napkin, and I shout, What?

My dad snarls, You heard him correctly, Teagan. Stop with the theatrics.

I shake my head, pressing my trembling hands together, and say, I’m not getting married.

In quick succession, dad leans forward, his finger pointed at me, and demands, Yes you are.

No, I’m not. I fold my arms across my meager breasts. I’m twenty-two, and I’m going to college. Did you forget? I have a couple more years left.

Again, his finger jabs my way. "You open your fucking mouth once more, and I’ll make you wish you had forgotten."

From my periphery, Joey is just sitting there, staring at his father, and not saying a word. I can read the anger from his expression by the way his jaw tightens. In our younger years, he often wore a face that warded off the weak. A discontented boy in a sea of destruction. I can relate to feeling unhappy. Our world isn’t the kind you find solace in. It’s raw, gritty, and full of violence, and one I’ve never embraced. Once I attended high school, I drifted from the gang crowds, the girls who searched for love through sex, and the guys who abused the privilege of having a woman. My best friend Erin is the only one I talk to from the streets. I bury myself in my studies and florist job. Now my dad wants me glued to this world, but I refuse to go down without a fight.

I stick my chin toward my father and flare up when I protest, Make me, Dad, because there’s no way in hell I’m getting married.

The table flips to the side, his hand twists and yanks my hair until I’m standing, and he drags me away by the hair.

Joey shoots to his feet, pumping his fists at his side as I hear James say, Sit down, Joe. It’s none of our concern.

The wrath etched in Joey’s face is the last thing I see as my dad flings me into the men’s washroom, smacking me across the face a couple of times for good measure. I’m shaking from shock and anger, yet I shouldn’t be surprised. My dad has never thought twice about striking me. I’m well acquainted with his fists. But doing it in front of James and Joey is humiliating.

I’m screaming for him to let go of my hair as he shakes my head with his hand still latched on.

My dad puts his face near mine, shouting, Don’t you ever talk to me like that in front of anyone! Do you understand me? He finally lets go.

Blood drips from my nose onto my blue shirt. My head hurts from his smack and pulling my hair.

I swipe my hand across my face, smearing blood, tears streaking my cheeks, and say, You promised.

College is everything. A way to distance myself, and when I’m done, to disappear for good. Again, I shouldn’t be surprised by his reneging. William Malone has never been a good man, especially to me, his daughter. I’m trembling and the deception feeds my anger.

His voice rises with every word. "I never promised, Teagan. I let you go to college. Let. And now, I’m letting you get married."

I purge the deep inhale. My entire body shakes from rage, frustration, and the fact I’m crying in front of him. In an effort to calm myself, my gaze takes in the sights of the bathroom. There’s a broken mirror, a cracked sink, and toilet paper and piss on the floor. It’s disgusting, reflecting the situation I’m in.

We lock eyes and I say, You can’t make me. I’ll leave.

The asshole backs me against the wall, wraps a hand around my throat, and brings his face an inch from mine. I’m not asking. I’ve built this empire and you’ve benefited from it. Great school. Shopping at your disposal. The finest foods. Using his hand around my throat, he taps my head against the wall. So, you’re either going to be a part of this alliance and marry Joey, or I’ll give you to my bodyguards when their sexual needs aren’t being met.

I suck in a quick breath and say in an unsettled whisper, I’m your daughter for God’s sakes.

His daughter! And he’s willing to throw me to the wolves if I resist his orders. What kind of father does that? I hate him. I hate him with every fiber of my being. We’ve never had much of a relationship, but this… this is crossing the line. This shows exactly what I’m worth to him.

What’s it going to be? Get married or become a whore?

He drops his hands and steps back. I can’t even look at him. I’m sickened by his words and actions. We never got along, but until this moment, I didn’t think he’d use me as a pawn for his illegal activities. But who am I kidding? He has passed my mother around to his friends as a thank you, or congratulation, and she obliges, no questions asked. They’re both pathetic. I had plans to graduate, move away from this city, and root myself in a small town. Maybe become a counselor. Except my dad is tossing gasoline on my dreams, and this marriage will burn it to ashes. If I run, he’ll find me. And if he finds me, I don’t even want to consider what he’d do if he is willing to whore me out.

Through a quiver, I answer, Marriage.

He grabs my head and smashes it against his chest. Good girl.

Good girl.

Back at the table, James wears a smug smile while Joey’s face contorts into something primitive. He gives my father the deadliest glance before dipping his napkin into the water and wiping the blood from my face. I let him. Not because I have feelings for him, but because my father has sucked all my energy and hope, and it’s nice to see someone cares. From here on out, I’ll be someone’s property, because in this world, women have little say. They belong to and obey without argument. This black hole might suck me in, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to make it easy for them. I know one should learn to pick their battles, yet I promise myself to make my present and future one continuous battle. I can’t and won’t let them bury me with their sins. And if they do, people will remember me. I’ll be the one who they couldn’t break.

James claps his hands and says, This is good. He elbows my dad for confirmation, and continues, The wedding will be within a month. There’s no time to waste. We already have wedding planners taking care of everything, so all you need to do is show up.

I try to gauge Joey’s reaction, but he’s stoic. A scowl grips his face, and I realize now he’s been holding my hand. I slip it out from his and sit back in my chair.

Dad and James talk about the marriage and the alliance, while I think about my boyfriend, Ashton. How the hell am I going to explain this to him? I met him at college, so he knows nothing about my family life. We’ve been together for a year, and in all this time, we spent it at his place. The bodyguards my father assigned to me lurk in the shadows, and Ashton hasn’t noticed. If he has, he hasn’t said anything. Love isn’t the problem, because I don’t love him, but dropping a bomb like this in his lap can only hurt him. He’s been a distraction from the seedy world I grew up in. New and fresh. Untainted. I’ve appreciated our relationship, and my heart aches knowing this will cause him pain.

My head turns to Joey, who is staring at me. A man dipped in rawness. His appearance alone provokes a deadly scream. His eyes narrow, and he takes my hand again. I’m unsure how to respond or act when all I do is run away from people like him. And I’m supposed to marry him? Live in the same house? Share the same bed? I take my hand back, stand, and leave without glancing back. I head straight to my childhood park, where I used to go when things got overwhelming. Well, not only are they too much now, but they’re overflowing, choking what little self I have left.

On a park swing, I dig my toe into the dirt, and push off while the tears run down my cheeks. Chicago is still grasping onto winter, which dries the trail of salty tears before they’re able to fall. Somewhere in the darkness are my bodyguards. They know better than to get in my way, because they’ve experienced my anger through wicked pranks, which only makes their job strenuous. So, we have an agreement. Stay out of sight, and I’ll stop with the pranks and dodging their presence.

My hands press against my thighs, and the chair’s chains balance my head. A hopelessness squeezes at my chest. In one meeting, I lost everything. College. A future. I’ll be locked into a dead marriage, expected to please him in every way. Thrust into fake friendships. Loneliness holds the pieces of my heart. No one truly understands why I don’t want this life, instead, wanting college. The one person who has an idea of my pain and my reasons for a better life is Erin. Erin McCormick has been my only friend in this underworld, and for that, I’m so glad. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. The other women hate me, and the feeling is mutual. I’d rather pour lemon juice in a paper cut than spend five minutes in their presence, which unfortunately will become my reality. I’ll have to load up on lemon juice.

My phone rings, so I take it out of my pocket and read the message from Erin saying, call me. It’s been months since I’ve spoken to her. I’m wondering if she knew anything about this arrangement.

She picks up on the first ring and says, Teagan, where are you?

The park.

I’ll be right there.

Erin’s family is also immersed in crime. Her brother and father work for my dad. Thank God she has one of the sweetest mothers, who is constantly baking sweets, cleaning, and keeping busy. It is her mom’s way of distancing herself from the violence. I used to pretend she was my mom.

Out of all the other women in our criminal life, Erin hasn’t accepted it or caved to the pressures of what’s expected. Not that she has shunned it or wouldn’t do what her father expects of her, but she knows it isn’t a normal life. Unlike the other women, who look forward to having their husbands chosen for them, and living a life of servitude, Erin hopes no one will be interested in her.

I hear car doors shut and look up to find her and her bodyguard coming toward me. She stops, says something to the bodyguard, who then retreats. I love her. In her hand is a bottle of Grey Goose. The girl knows just what I need.

Erin plops down on the other swing, uncorks the bottle, and hands it over. She doesn’t mention the smeared mascara or dried tears. I take a couple of gulps and give the bottle back to her, accompanied by an appreciative smile.

After a gulp, she asks, Do you want to talk about it? I shake my head. This wouldn’t have anything to do with a pre-arranged marriage to Joey Cooper, would it?

I grab the bottle back, swallow a couple more sips, and bite my lip before saying, How did you know?

She holds her fingers like claws. The vipers… and my brother. I give a halfhearted laugh. You know better than anyone else that these viper women keep tallies on who is single and who is getting married. It’s like a brush fire. Once wind gets out someone’s about to walk down the aisle, the hounds track it and call a group meeting. Now she’s really made me laugh. And because every single woman in the Chicago underworld had their sights set on Joey, you’re going to be a hated woman.

Oh, you mean more than I already am? I flick my hand in dismissal.

We both find humor in my comment and then settle down. I place the bottle on the ground and begin to swing. Erin joins in.

I kick upward to gain momentum and say, They can have him.

She gets to the same height and asks, Joey?

Yeah. He’s a thug. A nothing. Lucky me gets to marry a criminal.

Erin remains quiet for a bit. To be honest, he’s not so bad. I give her a sideways glance. You haven’t been in our environment for a while.

I shrug. Our world breeds nothing but thugs. I don’t need to be around to know that.

Our swings lessen until we’re no longer moving. My cheek presses against the chain link and I let out a heavy sigh.

Erin touches my hand to get my attention. I understand where you’re coming from. I do. These aren’t the surroundings either of us wants to be in, but in Joey’s defense, he’s the best one you want in your corner. He’s loyal, doesn’t screw around, and if you can ever get him to talk, he’s smart. Of course, some of this I’ve witnessed, and some is hearsay from my brother. One thing is true, though, people admire him.

My lip curls in a snarl. Please. The Joey I saw today did nothing to stop this marriage. He sat by and listened as our fathers talked of marriage and the alliance.

There’s something you should be aware about Joey. He does more than he says.

What do you mean?

Joey’s extremely quiet, but he watches and listens. It helps him in his fights. He can guess what his opponent will do before the opponent even figures it out. He evaluates situations. Joey also can detect a losing battle. Arguing with your dad and his is futile, and he knows it.

So, you’re saying I don’t?

Erin sweeps a thumb under my eye to get rid of the mascara. This doesn’t help, so she sighs and says, You’re strong-willed, Teagan, and have a fiery temper. Sometimes you don’t know when to call it quits.

I get off the swing and turn to her. You’re saying I should give up?

She stands in front of me and rubs my arms. Marrying Joey isn’t giving up. It’s biding your time until an opportunity arises. She slips her arm through mine. Besides, he’s hot as hell. My head falls back, and I laugh. Come on, let’s have a pity party by getting wasted and eating crap food.

We head to the car, but she runs back for the vodka bottle. When she returns, she wraps an arm around me, and I rest my head on her shoulder as we make our way to the car. I’m unsure where this whole mess is going to lead, but I’m glad to have Erin by my side. And later tonight, I’ll do the inevitable breakup with my boyfriend, Ashton.

Joey

Chapter 2

MY OLD MAN DEMANDED AND threatened that I attend the meeting at Pavilion Café, except he didn’t tell me anything about it. When I see William Malone, I stop in my tracks. Two rival gang leaders of Cooper’s Crew and Malone’s Disciples in the same café at the same time is unheard of. I eye them both while they exchange pleasantries, which is something I have no intention of doing. Then the door opens, and a mixture of morning dew and fresh grass wafts in. Teagan. I’m the only one who stands, but it’s to be expected when it comes to women in our world because they don’t carry much weight. Women are bartering chips for the family and serve their husbands.

Teagan Malone stands in front of me, short and tiny, with a bear of a confidence seldom seen in women raised by leaders of the streets. Her hair is a fusion of toffee and streaks of copper highlighting her faded denim blue eyes. As natural as they come, her long lashes fan out and those glossed bow-shaped lips wrap up the gift in front of me. All through grammar school I had a crush on this girl, who didn’t give me or anyone else the time of day.

She sits next to me, offering a small smile. Whatever words come from Malone and my old man are impaired by Teagan’s presence. Ever since we were young, I fantasized about her. Her refusal to abide by our families and crime is brash and separates her from the rest of us. Teagan has always stood her ground, which is dangerous and commendable.

Through part of their rambling, she drops her napkin, and as I pick it up, I hear my old man say Teagan and I are getting married. I whack my head on the table, shooting up with my back ramrod straight, glaring at my sick father. But Teagan isn’t going to stay quiet. Like when we were kids, no one pushed her around or told her what to do. I loved that about her. She refuses their plan and won’t back down. Malone grabs her by the hair, and fury burns through my veins. I rise, but my old man commands me to sit. He continues to strangle what little freedom I have by resorting to blackmail.

Malone and my old man would never win father of the year. Madness has ripped into them. This proposed marriage to Teagan is proof. They think it will strengthen our families and stop the other criminals from encroaching on our territory. The leaders and the heads of family divvy out duty and law to the rest, and we’re required to obey without complaint.

When Teagan returns to the table, there’s blood and tears on her face. My eyes flick to William. He’s lucky my old man has me on a short leash, because I’d kill him right now. I dip my napkin into the water glass and clean her face. And she lets me. But when I try to hold her hand, she doesn’t want any of it. I don’t blame her. This situation is nuts. Not that I wouldn’t love to be married to her. It’s gang life I want out of.

Once she leaves, my best friend and