When he approached the table, Jake reached out to shake Paco’s hand, but was met by a leery man with a skeptical eye.
“I can only imagine where that’s been,” Paco said, giving his bold red wine a wide swirl before enjoying a sip. Considering the ease of his words and the not-so-subtle smirk he wore, it was clear that Paco was enjoying this.
Jake took a seat beside him, dropping the dark linen napkin to his lap. “I’m sure your hands have done worse.”
The waiter presented the wine. Jake wasn’t exactly a brie and brioche sort of man, but the rules of proper table etiquette had come to him over time. High-end clients never dove into their woes without the luxuries of caviar and vintage cabernet. Finishing school was never high on his bucket list. But when his boss—a former sniper and the CEO of a multibillion-dollar conglomerate—says go do, you salute sharply with two words. Yes, boss.
Taking the bottle, Jake examined the label and blew out a long whistle. “You surprise me. I know you drink anything, but a fine wine guy? It doesn’t seem laid-back enough for your style.”
Paco took another sip of his wine, then swallowed. “I’m whatever I have to be. In a few weeks, I’ll be in France. Blending into my environment is what I do best, but I need to brush up on my wines, and this one is a favorite of a client.”
“Not going to class it up by swigging straight from the bottle?”
“Trust me, the night might not start with me partying my ass off like a teenager, but it always manages to end that way. You should’ve seen Kathryn’s face when I requested a glass for her.”
“I’ll bet,” Jake said, laughing at the thought. “Kathryn’s as down-home as they get, but she’ll never say no to you.”
“But she did.” Paco’s words held the smallest hint of disappointment. He stared Jake down over the rim of his glass, narrowing his eyes. “I offered her a job.”
“You’re worried? Still? Scott’s on the case.”
Sadness washed over Paco’s face. “Never send in a man to do a woman’s job. The perp is good. Let’s just say this case is of interest to a friend. We need to get to the bottom of this first.”
The words were enough to both piss Jake off and send him into protective mode. In some ways, Paco knew Kathryn better than Jake did. Her tenacity. Her strength. Her ability to dig out the truth, no matter how many layers of subterfuge it was buried beneath.
But Kathryn Chase was also his. Jake owned her . . . mind, body, and soul. It meant more than she was his. She was his to protect.
Hands clasped, he leaned in. “Sounds like she already turned you down.”
“A no now might lead to a yes. And I only had a minute with her before you took the helm.” Paco lifted a brow. “Or would that be the stern?”
Not that it’s his concern, but I’ll be taking both before the night is over.
Jake merely shrugged. “All I know is if you’re trying to woo Kathryn, fancy French wine will be about as effective as goose-liver pâté. The least you can do is offer my girl a real drink,” he said with casual disregard for the high-end wine whose price tag probably ranged just below that of the man’s suit.
With only a glance in his direction from Paco, the waiter eagerly hustled to his side. “Did you need something, sir?”
“Yes, Stuart,” Paco said.
In his polished black vest and slacks, complete with a white button-up shirt with burgundy bow tie, all the waiter was missing was a nametag. Sure, Paco could have struck up a conversation with him—a way to kill time while Jake made himself busy thoroughly defiling his naughty little kitten. But Jake had a hunch that wasn’t how Paco happened to know the guy’s name.
Casually, Paco tilted his chin toward Jake, who ordered without bothering with a drink menu.
“A glass of Blanton’s Gold. Neat. Two fingers.”
“Nothing for Kathryn?” Paco asked, as if uncertain Jake had made the right call.
Smiling, Jake shook his head. “Like that would ever happen. I’m taking care of my girl. And I’ll start with water. Should we order?”
Before Stuart could hand over a menu, Paco issued him a silent but polite dismissal. “I’ve got it covered.” To Jake, he asked, “By the way, where is she?”
“Let me find out.”
Jake: You’ve got one minute before your search party arrives.
Kathryn: I’m not sure I can face Paco.
Jake took her text in stride, pinching the bridge of his nose with an inward sigh. He handed his phone to Paco. “This from the girl who let you hook her up on a blind date in a hotel room with an unknown Dom.”
Before Jake could stand, Paco’s firm hand landed on his shoulder.
“I’m starving. If you go back in, who knows when you’ll be out. My turn.”