Liv parked her silver Lexus in a lone, empty space in the back lot of The Perfect Brew and grinned in anticipation. When Thunder called earlier in the day and suggested they meet for coffee, it was all she could do not to imagine everything they could do in the middle of the cream and sugar. She licked her lips. What a rush to be held in those big, strong arms and taken by his powerful body. Although exhibitionism was not her thing, she’d come very close to experimentation at the Camp Hero obstacle course. She smoothed a hand down the side of her short, black skirt while her hormones danced a rhumba beneath her skin and her body demanded him for a partner. After nearly being skin to skin, there was no doubt in her mind that it would be a wild dance. She drew in a long, deep breath, slowly released it, and then reached for the door handle.
Lost in a fog of desire, she nearly jumped from the seat when she heard a tap on the driver’s window. Panicked, she swung her gaze toward the noise, immensely relieved to see Thunder on the other side.
“Holy geez, Thunder!” She flung open the door, missing his groin by mere inches. “You scared the life out of me.”
Seemingly not phased, he lifted one eyebrow. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t go out alone.”
“We did,” she agreed, “but it’s coffee.”
“You came alone.”
“Yes.” She practiced great patience while attempting to slow her heart rate. “I assumed coming here would be acceptable. After all, you’re here.”
“Alone is alone without an escort, no matter where you go.” He grasped her elbow and practically lifted her from the seat. “Out.”
She opened her mouth to speak, her argument cut short by his hand on top of her head. “Watch your head.”
Before she knew it, she stood in the doorway of The Perfect Brew while the steamy, bitter aroma of freshly-brewed coffee assaulted her senses.
She continued to scan the crowded room, attempting to locate an empty table when her gaze landed on the only one remaining in the back of the room.
She felt a gentle nudge to the small of her back as Thunder spoke. “That’s ours.”
“I didn’t realize we could make a reservation,” she said as they walked to the table.
“I called ahead.” He paused at the table and cupped her chin in his hands. “I don’t like to wait.”
“You’re obsessed.”
“Habit.”
He lowered his head and placed his lips against hers, the touch so tender she expected the contact to be brief. Instead, he lingered, moving his lips over hers with a more determined motion as if he intended to let everyone in the room know he staked a claim.
Her body screamed in agony when he lifted his lips and pulled out her chair. Tempted to yank his big body back against hers, she managed to regain control and release a satisfied sigh.
“I take it you’ve ordered?”
He nodded, lifted his hand, gestured with two fingers, and then sat across from her. Seconds later, a server appeared at the table with two steaming cups of coffee. She inhaled and glanced into the mug, not really surprised to find he had ordered her brew of choice: vanilla cappuccino with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. Granted, they spent a considerable amount of time together but most men wouldn’t pay much attention to details such as coffee. Thunder’s attention to detail, however, put most men to shame. In fact, his observation skills were so refined she doubted that anything ever went unnoticed – including her body’s reaction to him at the present time.
“Thank you.” She wrapped both hands around her cup and cleared her throat. “So, anything new on our hacker?”
He gave her a smirk that dampened her panties. “What makes you think I asked you here to talk business?”
“Habit,” she teased.
“Not entirely.”
“Really?”
He nodded, again without explanation.
“So this is a date?”
“Do you want it to be?”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
Stimulated by the conversation and warmed by his admission, she slowly released the breath she didn’t realize she held. “Well then, it’s a business date.”
“Fair enough. I do have some information. We didn’t find anything questionable on your employees.”
“Of course not.”
“We met with Beachwood at his company headquarters. Nice place.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
“For a man of his wealth, I expected more.”
She smiled. “Most people do. Harris is a very humble, down-to-Earth man.”
“Rebel copied his network activity so we’ll see if anything pops up there.”
“What about my network?”
“We’re going to meet this afternoon. I should know something by then.”
Desperate to change the topic of conversation, she opted for a new strategy. “I had a really good time yesterday.”
“You did a good job keeping up.”
“I was afraid not to,” she teased. “Thanks for taking an easy pace.”
He shrugged. “You held your own.”
“Camp Hero is quite an operation.”
“The website looks great. Rebel says our hits double daily.”
She grinned as he avoided the spotlight as usual. “The community is very supportive.”
“Your father called me.”
“Oh?”
He nodded. “We’ve established two more scholarship funds.”
“That’s wonderful!”
He reached across the table and braided their fingers. “You already knew that.”
“No.” She shook her head and did her best not to let his touch coax a confession. “No, I didn’t.”
His gaze remained fixed on hers as his lips split into one of those thigh-tightening smirks. She didn’t know which would open first, her mouth or her legs.
“Okay,” she relented around a groan. “I kinda knew. I filled him in on the particulars of the organization but the scholarships were his idea.”
His thumb began a soft caress over her skin.
“Really, I swear.”
“I believe you.”
She tilted her head to one side, desperate to figure out his miraculous brain, awed by his ability to manipulate without uttering a single word.
“You get a lot of confessions, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Again, no denial or elaboration, just smooth, suave confidence. A slow tingle began at the base of her spine and climbed all thirty-three vertebrae at the blatant sex appeal in his attitude. And at the exact moment she decided to experience more of it, her phone vibrated against the table. Reluctantly, she moved her gaze to the screen and her stomach began a slow churn. Rhoades Real Estate Investments.
“Do you mind if I take this?”
“Not at all.”
“Hi, Chandler.” She swallowed hard as she greeted the caller and hoped the call was not what she thought.
“Good morning, Liv.”
Chandler’s cheery voice caused her to feel cautiously optimistic.
“I received a peculiar email just now and wondered if you had time to discuss it.”
“Oh no, not you too.” She groaned and moved the phone to pound it twice against her forehead before putting it back to her ear.
“I take it others received the message?”
She moved the device back into speaking position. “Unfortunately, yes. My system was hacked and I’m so sorry. Did it reference secrets?”
“Yes and it came from the address I use to communicate with you.”
“Rest assured that not only did I not send that message, no personal information was stolen other than the address.”
He released a hearty laugh. “The joke’s on your hacker. He wouldn’t have to dig far to find my secrets.”
Her anxiety slipped at his response. The intruder could’ve singled out far worse clients.
She glanced up at Thunder who nodded as if he could hear the whole conversation. “I have an investigator looking into the breach. Would you mind meeting with his team?”
“I’d be happy to.”
She raised an eyebrow and again, Thunder read her mind when he mouthed tonight.
“Is tonight acceptable?”
“Certainly. I’ll be in the office until nine o’clock. Tell them to drop by at their convenience.”
She disconnected and then released a hard sigh. “Well, damn.”
“Liv.” He reached across the table and braided the fingers of his left hand with her right. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”
“Promise?”
He nodded without hesitation. “I’m going to do some serious ass kicking.”
“I may help you,” she mumbled.
“Was this message the same as yours?”
“Honestly, I didn’t want to know specifics but he said it referenced secrets. The caller was Chandler Rhoades. He owns Rhoades Real Estate Investments.”
“I’ve seen the billboards.”
“He’ll be in the office until nine tonight.”
“Good.” He squeezed her hand and then untangled their fingers. “I’d better round up my team.”
He stood, stepped next to her chair and offered a hand. She didn’t hesitate to give it to him as she stood. Once again he hustled her to the exit and then to her car. He paused and lifted an eyebrow. She paused, only for effect, and asked the question to which she already knew the answer.
“I’m not going alone, am I?”
He simply gestured with his head at the key fob in her hands. She smirked, pressed the button on her remote to unlock the doors, and then he motioned for her to sit in the passenger seat.
“Buckle up,” he said just before he closed the door.
Thunder stuck one beefy leg through the doorway and then reached down to move the seat back from the steering wheel – all the way back. Once he sat beside her, he still looked painfully squeezed.
He held out his hand, palm up. “Keys.”
“Push start.”
“Where to?”
“The Melbourne.” Once the engine roared to life, she leaned back against her seat and released a sigh. “What about your truck?”
“Chaos and Ace will take care of it.”
“And how do you plan to meet your team?”
“Rebel will come for me.”
“I’m sorry, Thunder. I just didn’t think coming to the coffee shop would be dangerous.”
“No apology necessary.” He signaled left and drove into traffic.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Shoot.”
She hesitated a brief moment before she continued, somewhat surprised by his quick agreement. It had been her experience that he rarely, if ever, shared personal details with anyone. She mentally smirked. There was no guarantee he’d do it now but it was worth a shot.
“Are you this protective of all the women in your life?”
“You like it.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes.”
Although she received the exact answer she expected, she couldn’t help but be disappointed. Did his answer mean he had many women in his life? Or, did he simply mean he only protected the ones he let in?
“Don’t think it to death, Liv. Protection is in my blood; no one close to me is exempt.” He moved his right hand from the steering wheel and placed it on top of hers. “Including you.”
He drove into the Melbourne’s driveway and then parked under the valet canopy. “Keep your phone close.”
He leaned toward her and placed a soft, lingering kiss against her lips. She nearly screamed when the valet opened her door and interrupted the tender moment. As Thunder left the truck and tossed him the fob, she peeled herself from the seat and stepped out with her lips tingling.
Thunder urged her to entrance and opened the door. “I’ll call as soon as I know something.”
Once Thunder assured Liv was tucked safely into the hotel, he stood in the lobby and palmed his cell.
“Dial Rebel,” he said into the mouthpiece.
He chuckled as the call connected in less than a second. Sophie must not be anywhere close.
“Hey, Captain.”
“Can you make a pick-up at the Melbourne?”
“Sure. Where does she need to go?”
“Not Liv, me.”
“Where’s Liv?”
“She’s here.”
A momentary silence crossed the line and he didn’t need to be psychic to know what the other man thought. “We met for coffee. She arrived alone, against orders.”
“I’ll be there in ten.”
“We need to rendezvous in an hour. Send Chaos and Ace to pick up my truck at The Perfect Brew and then deliver it to my house. Make sure Ace drives.”
He disconnected and glanced at his watch. As long as everyone followed orders, he had plenty of time to make a quick detour home before the meeting.
Exactly twelve minutes later, a whole new wave of anxiety rolled over him when Rebel parked in his driveway where he expected to find a second car, but didn’t. He released a hard breath and opened the truck door.
“I’ll see you in a few.”
He shook his head as he left the vehicle and then entered the house. Why did all the women in his life insist on being stubborn? He released another hard breath and glanced at his watch again. Come on, Anna.
No sooner had the request crowded his brain, he heard a car door slam. He quickly threw open the door, relieved to see Anna walking toward him. As soon as she was within arm’s reach, he grabbed her elbow and pulled her inside.
“I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me pick you up from the airport.” He glanced out into the dusky evening, quickly scanned the perimeter, and then closed the door. “Did you grow a tail?”
“Well hello to you too, Thunder.”
“You know the drill,” he mumbled as he pulled her into his embrace and rested his chin on top of her head. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
She gave him a quick squeeze and then stepped back. “Why do I get the feeling you’re hiding me?”
Because I am.
Suddenly, his team’s warning about an ass-kicking hit home. Might as well spill his guts while they were still tucked deep inside his stomach.
“I have something to tell you but you have to swear you won’t freak out.”
“O..kay. Must be serious.”
He grasped her forearm, pulled her into the living room, and then gestured with his head for her to sit on the sofa. As soon as he sat next to her, he looked directly into her sparkling, chocolate-brown eyes and confessed.
“I met someone.”
Both of her eyebrows nearly touched her hairline. “A woman?”
“Hell yes, a woman!”
“Hey, I don’t judge.” She shrugged. “A real one, right?”
He nodded.
“You didn’t hire her?”
“No! Why the hell would you think something like that?”
“We’ve had this discussion. Since you won’t elaborate, I’m just gathering facts.”
“Yes, Anna, I’ve met a woman. Her name is Olivia Blackwell.”
“That’s great, Thunder. What made you think I’d freak out?”
“You did,” he drawled.
“I was, am, just surprised, that’s all. What changed your mind?”
“Liv.”
“When do I get to meet her?”
“As soon as I tell her about you.”
Her eyebrows assumed their earlier position on her forehead. “How long have you known her?”
“Long enough.”
“How long?” she pressed.
“Hell, I don’t know – six months to a year.”
“Oh, man.” She slapped her forehead with her palm. “You’ve known her that long and it never occurred to you to mention your beautiful, adoring, younger sister?”
“No.” He chuckled. “My obnoxious, mischievous, baby sister never came up in conversation.”
“Have you slept with her?”
“Anna,” he growled.
“Have you?”
“No.”
“Thank God,” she mumbled. “That would not be good.”
“Why is it that everyone thinks it’s a major mistake that I haven’t told Liv about you?”
“Everyone?”
“Rebel, Chaos, and Ace all agree with you.”
“Well, that’s positive. I take it none of them have said anything either.”
“No. Only Alpha Four knows about the alluring Anna Raines.”
“Isn’t Rebel married?”
He nodded. “And I’m sure Chaos and Ace are close behind.”
“It’s a good thing you’ve got three extra bedrooms.”
“Explain, Anna,” he demanded through clenched teeth.
“Simple. A woman needs to know about the other women in her man’s life, Thunder. It’s a matter of trust.”
He paused at his sister’s explanation. Trust. Such a simple five-letter word – one he didn’t use loosely. Yet, something told him there was absolute truth to Anna’s advice.
“Since when did you get so wise, Anna-Banana?”
“Since you made up that ridiculous nickname.”
“Can you entertain yourself for a little while?”
“You’re working on a case?”
He nodded.
“Of course.” She gave him an extremely wide smile that caused his nerves to shake. “Free at last, free at last!”
“You’re hilarious, Brat. I shouldn’t be long.”
“Take your time. I’m going to take advantage of your whirlpool tub.”
He stepped forward and gave her a tight squeeze. “We’ll talk more when I get home.”
“Yeah, right.”
He grinned at her sarcasm. “Lock up behind me. I’ll set the alarm on my phone.”
Once he sat behind the steering wheel in his truck and heard the telltale beep that the alarm had been activated, he allowed the tension to leave his muscles. At least Anna was under lock and key for the evening. He backed out of the driveway, a little more confident now that he had let Anna in on his relationship with Liv. Now the only obstacle would be sharing with Liv and his conscience told him he should do it soon.
He wasn’t one for self-analysis but he knew himself well enough to know he wasn’t the champagne and flowers type. Liv deserved that. She spent her time orchestrating happy endings for complete strangers; it was high time someone did that for her and as fiercely as he wanted to do it, he was a lost cause.
His MO consisted of issuing orders and dealing effectively with the outcome when those orders weren’t followed. The missions he found himself leading weren’t pretty. In fact, they were downright nasty and the only conclusion he hoped for was alive. Granted, since he retired from the army he hadn’t been in anything close to combat, but the protocol was the same: take out the perp before he did you.
He ran a hand through his hair and released a heavy sigh. Olivia Blackwell had him in the palm of her hand and for once in his life he had nothing in his arsenal to escape. Hell, who was he kidding? He wouldn’t escape if he could.
Her beautiful blue eyes, pools of clear, serene compassion, saw right through his armor and into his soul. She recognized his need to lead, his desire to control and dominate, and she patiently stood beside him in silent support.
Not that she always followed his lead. No, Liv possessed a backbone that wouldn’t bend if she set that amazing mind to it. Although poised and refined, she could wrestle the pitchfork from the devil himself. Like her goal to help him get out more. He shook his head.
Not gonna happen.
He had absolutely no desire to exert energy attempting to impress a woman enough to convince her to spend time with him. Most women expected pleasant conversation, something he deemed unnecessary. He was more the direct, tell-it-like-it-is type, and it had been his experience that very few women appreciated his brutal honesty.
Very few, that is, except Liv.
She never once bristled when he took charge or issued a directive she didn’t want to hear. No, she simply batted those long eyelashes, licked her luscious, full lips, and then silently told him to go straight to hell. He grinned. Okay, so maybe not quite like that, but close.
Besides, if he decided to get out more, it would only be with her.
He forced his thoughts off of Liv and back to the investigation, parked in his usual space, and headed inside. Hopefully, someone had answers.
He entered the conference room, impressed that the other three men already sat around the table. He took his usual seat and glanced at Rebel, who had the computer booted and ready to go.
“Anything new?”
“Beachwood’s email originated at The Dusty Cover, the bookstore downtown. Again, the message was sent over a public network that doesn’t require a password to access. Without a matching IP address, we’ll have to review security tapes to see if we can identify anyone suspicious. Mario’s network was accessed by the same IP address as Liv’s but his security tapes didn’t show suspicious activity.”
Thunder nodded. “I’ll make the call to the bookstore. Meanwhile, another of Liv’s clients received a message. Chandler Rhoades.”
Rebel clicked keys on the keyboard. “Basic background reveals our guy is a prominent real estate mogul in the area who owns Rhoades Real Estate Investments. Clean record at first glance. He’s big in charity, notably Habit for Humanity and several local children’s charities.”
“Same message?” Ace buckled his hands behind his head.
“Yes. Exactly the same.”
Chaos released a hard breath. “I think it’s time to push the issue.”
“There’s nothing to blow up,” Rebel drawled.
“There’s always something to blow up.” Chaos moved his gaze to him and smirked. “I have a better idea but you won’t like it.”
“Spit it out.”
“We take advantage of the fact that your name is in Liv’s database.”
“Take advantage how?”
“Unlock the database and plant a bogus email address on your profile – one we can monitor.”
Thunder rolled that idea around in his brain. “How do we know he’ll snatch mine?”
“We plant several,” Ace suggested. “We replace the addresses on current profiles to one we monitor to increase the odds.”
“That might just work.”
“You do realize that means you’ll have to date anyone who chooses your profile, right?”
Yes, he did. So why did the idea of dating other women feel like a betrayal to Liv? And how ironic that she would choose his dates. How was that going to pan out?
“I’ll take one for the team. I’ll let Liv know.” He glanced at Rebel. “Unlock her system and plant the addresses.”
Rebel lifted an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Hell yes, I’m sure.”
The other man clicked a series of keys and then sat back in his chair. “Done. You’re officially fresh meat.”
He braced his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair as the reality of what he’d just done soaked into his mind. All to protect Liv, he reminded himself. The sooner they had this lunatic on a hook, the better.
“Are you going to call her?” Chaos prompted.
“Yes.”
“Now?”
He frowned. “There’s time.”
“Probably better to do it sooner rather than later,” Ace mumbled.
Although the other man was right, he still fought the urge to procrastinate. “I’ll call from my office,” he said as he stood. “We’ll meet with Rhoades when I’m done.”
He stood and left the conference room, covering the distance to his office with long, heavy steps. For once in his life, he actually questioned his sanity. What in the hell was he thinking? He was the Captain; assigning any of his men would’ve been acceptable. Except, Liv was the victim.
His woman.
He swore again as he closed the door and then sat in the executive’s chair behind his desk. Too late to back out now. He palmed his cell, pulled up Liv’s number, and slid his finger across the screen as he propped his elbows on the desk. After two short rings, her voice seeped over the line and nearly squeezed his cock in two.
“Thunder? What’s wrong?”
He frowned while he reached between his legs to make a slight adjustment. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”
“There’s usually a problem when you call.”
“Maybe I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Oh, okay.”
“We do have a development,” he admitted. “Rebel planted several email addresses for me in your database. We’re hoping to get the attention of our perp and trap him.”
“I see.” She cleared her throat. “What happens if someone requests a meeting with you in the meantime?”
Before he could figure out how to answer that question, she fired off another one.
“Are you interested in a legitimate date or is this just to try to draw out whoever is trying to ruin my business?”
“I didn’t want to be in your database in the first place,” he reminded her.
“When do you want to start dating?”
Never.
“As soon as possible. Rebel just unlocked your system.”
Her soft sigh wound his already-taut body even tighter. “I’ll see what I can do. I just wish we didn’t have to open up that can of worms again.”
“Trust me.”
“I do. That’s the only reason I’m agreeing to go along. I really don’t like leading on my clients. These women are going to think you are the match that I chose for them.”
“So … you’re not really going to do that, right?”
She was silent for a moment. “Do you want me to?”
He hadn’t meant to test her, but he had left himself wide open. Honesty was his only option. “No, Liv. There’s only one woman I’d even consider as a match.”
“Who?”
He smirked and his cock jumped. “You.” Her quick exhale relieved him as much as he assumed it did her so he took advantage. “One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Call me every time you need to go out.”
“Every time?”
“Every time,” he reiterated. “I’m now your shadow.”
A pause in conversation told him she would soon issue a challenge. And, he was geared up and ready.
“How about a compromise?” she said finally.
“No compromise.”
Again, silence met his directive and he prepared for the next round; she wouldn’t give in easily but he would do his damndest to hold his position. He waited patiently while he visualized her in his mind’s eye. Legs crossed, one bouncing, and her arms folded over her chest while she braced the phone between her neck and shoulder. Open skull, engage horns.
“I’ll use my car service during working hours.”
He mulled over her suggestion, both relieved and disappointed by her logical request. Hell, maybe he was more of a pushover than he realized.
“Agreed.” He leaned back in his chair, confident her driver would cooperate without persuasion. “I’ll contact Brighton with the particulars.”
He expected her to issue yet another challenge, but instead she answered with a soft laugh. He allowed himself a smirk. A challenge wasn’t necessary; that laugh was enough to let him know things had turned out exactly the way she planned.
Damn she made him hard.
As badly as he hated to, he ended the conversation. “We’re on our way to see Rhoades.” He stood and headed out of the office. “I’ll call you later tonight.”
Twenty minutes later, Thunder stood outside the building with two glass doors at least eight feet tall, not surprised at the elegance in the architecture. Rhoades had been in the real estate business a long time and like his name suggested, investment was the name of the game. Obviously it was profitable.
He raised a hand and knocked. The door soon opened and the man who graced billboards all over the city greeted each of them with a handshake and a smile.
“Thanks for stopping by,” Rhoades said as he closed the door behind them. “I hope I can help.”
He led them down a short hallway and into a room with two sofas and several recliners. A big screen TV hung on one wall.
“Welcome to the Think Tank, gentlemen. Sometimes negotiation can take time and I like to keep things comfortable for my clients.”
Thunder sat in one recliner, Ace took another. Chaos and Rebel parked on a nearby sofa. He waited until Rhoades lowered himself into a third recliner and then addressed him.
“I was with Liv when you called this afternoon. Can you tell me exactly what you received?”
“I received an email from Liv that simply said Your secrets are safe with me. Liv says it didn’t come from her and I believe her.”
“Why?”
Rhoades gave a shrug that screamed duh. “I’ve known Olivia Blackwell for her entire life. She is an upstanding honest person and one helluva businesswoman.”
“You’re acquainted with the Blackwell family?”
“We’re much more than acquaintances. I play golf with Richard every Tuesday and I negotiate their property acquisitions when necessary.”
“Are you acquainted with Sophie Graystone, Kat Abbott, or Carley Kensworth?”
He nodded. “Liv’s crew. Senator Graystone, Judge Abbott, Charles Kensworth and I were college roommates. In fact, Carley is my god-daughter.”
“Have you been contacted since the email?”
“No.”
“No blackmail or threats?”
Rhoades shook his head in the negative.
“Did you save the email?”
“Yes. When Liv said you were investigating, I figured you would want to see it.”
“Does anyone else have access to your computer?”
“Yes. Barbara, my secretary.”
“Is the computer password protected?”
“Yes, but she set the password for me.”
“Anyone else? Wife, girlfriend, lover?”
“No. I’m currently single. Since I’ve been divorced three times, Liv has agreed to help out.”
“Business associates?”
“None. Barbara and I are the only two people with access to anything.”
“What about competitors?”
“We’re in Florida; there are real estate offices on practically every corner. The latest transaction that sets me apart is the new shipping port.”
“How so?”
“I negotiated the sale from the City to the investors.”
Chaos sat forward with his elbows on his knees. “Before or after we danced with the devil?”
Rhoades frowned. “I’m sorry?”
“The recent trouble there,” Ace explained.
“Unfortunately, before.” Rhoades grimaced. “Thanks to you, we’ve managed to clean up the place.”
Thunder gave a slight nod. Hell yes, thanks to them. Yet, the discovery that Rhoades was port-connected set fire to the electrons in his brain. No one else but he would notice, but one look at each of his teammates told him they were on the same on page. Although all three faces were devoid of emotion, he knew each man well enough to read the signals; Rebel’s left eye twitched, Ace’s upper lip moved half a millimeter, and the look that Chaos buried deep in the depths of his eyes was one reserved for destruction. Time to get personal.
“Are you active in the community?”
“I donate quite a bit of time to several charities in the area.”
“Would you consider yourself well-known?”
Rhoades shrugged. “I’ve been in this business over forty years and all of them here in Everglade Springs.”
“Do you know of any reason Liv would become a target?”
“No. In fact, I’m puzzled. She, too, has been in business long enough to become accepted and respected. Any chance this is just an irritable inconvenience?”
He paused before he answered. Logic dictated that anything was possible – irritable coincidence, mistaken identity, hell, even typographical error. His gut, however, severely disagreed.
“No,” Chaos answered for him.
Rhoades paled at the other man’s quick denial. “You’ll keep her safe, won’t you?”
“Absolutely.” He answered the question quickly and honestly. He just left out the elaboration that as soon as he had the perp by the neck, oxygen would cease to exist.
Rebel stood. “I’ll need to analyze your system.”
“Of course.” Rhoades stood. “Please help yourself to the bar while you wait.”
“Another random mark,” Chaos mumbled as soon as Rebel and Rhoades left the room.
Ace ran a hand through his hair. “There’s no rhyme or reason so far.”
“Only irritation,” Thunder agreed. “Ours.”
“I’m not holding out much hope that the system will expose anything.” Chaos sat forward with his hand on his knees. “But at least we’ll know where the email originated.”
Ace nodded. “I feel your pain but for now, this is all we can do. You know how these guys work – sooner or later, he’ll screw up.”
Thunder knew his teammate had a point and normally, waiting out a perp wasn’t an issue. This time, however, it was. If his theory that Montez was involved was right, there was no time to wait.
“Any word on Montez?”
“No.” Chaos tilted his head to one side. “And I’m surprised he hasn’t surfaced.”
Ace stood. “Nothing surprises me anymore. Not when it comes to that lunatic.”
Thunder totally agreed. “Me either. But you’re right – sooner or later he’ll surface.”
“And when he does,” Chaos said as he smirked. “We’ll blow him to Kingdom Come.”
***
He checked his watch as he parked next to the curb and cut the engine. Fifteen minutes would be plenty of time to take care of business. He glanced first into the rearview mirror and then into the sideview before finally opening the door and stepping out onto the sidewalk and headed for his target.
He looked over his shoulder to assure no one followed him to the drop point and then frowned while he reached inside the trash receptacle to retrieve the envelope he expected to find. If his source insisted they continue conducting business like this, he definitely needed to invest in a box of disposable gloves.
Once he held the intended envelope in hand, he ripped it open, palmed the device inside, and then tossed the paper back into the receptacle. He released a heavy breath as he climbed back into the car. Jumping through all these bizarre hoops seemed unnecessary and took time away from the task at hand. Yet, that was the risk of doing business with these types; they tended to be paranoid.
He accessed the contact list on the phone and then pressed the one and only pre-programmed number, labeled as private. He shook his head as the call connected. Definitely paranoid.
“Are you secure?” A familiar voice traveled across the line.
He glanced out the front windshield at his location. As long as no one discovered his identity or found the phone, security wouldn’t be an issue. Not for him anyway.
“Yes.”
“We need you to send another message.”
He raised an eyebrow at the request. The message was a bit of overkill in his opinion. Still, money was money.
“Okay.”
“Immediately.” His contact rattled off the email address and he quickly committed it to memory.
“Not a problem.”
“Provide me with confirmation once you’ve completed the task.”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. Your fee will be wired as arranged.”