Dirty Dealers Read online

  “I can’t see dirt,” I mutter.

  The Boulangerie down the block needs an experienced seller, and I wonder how well I can trust my fingers to differentiate between a cinnamon twist and a marble rye… or a donut versus a bagel.

  “I can at least smell the difference,” I say to my computer screen, which is practically touching my nose, the text blown up to a zillion points. “Then again, I’m sure customers don’t want my nose on their pastries.”

  Clicking toenails sound on the landing outside, and I hear a throaty little bark. Picking up my glass of water, I walk to the door and open it.

  “You might as well come in and view the damage,” I sigh, returning to my seat. Henri hops up in my lap and greets me with his usual tongue-kiss. “I’m going to catch you before you get me one of these days.”

  Letitia Rousseau (whoever she is) seeks a trilingual personal assistant. “Must speak French, Italian, and English,” I read aloud to the dog, who immediately begins wagging his body. “Will manage the daily demands of the family trips, various reservations, administration…”

  Henri hops down, and I rock back in my chair trying to imagine organizing a family. “I wonder how many little monsters Letitia has,” I muse. Henri barks twice. “Well, if that’s the case and it’s mostly phone calls and logistics, I have all the necessary experience.”

  My phone starts to buzz, and I pick it up, holding it to my face to read the screen. It’s my brother finally responding to my earlier text.

  Royal command performance? He teases. The place is crawling with security.

  I see you’re keeping rock star hours. I tease right back. What time?

  I’m at the café now if you’d like to come on over.

  Dropping in my chair I pull up my clock. “Shit,” I whisper, hopping out of the chair. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”

  See you soon, I text back to Cam then scoot Henri out the door so I can shower and change.

  It’s dark and the streets are already filling with the usual, nightly revelers when I step out to meet my car. I’m wearing grey jeans and a black silk cami under my burgundy leather bomber. My glasses are back on my nose, even though they don’t help much at night.

  I texted Cameron on the way to the café, and the minute I step out, I’m surrounded by toned, lanky arms. “Where have you been?” he cries, lifting me off the ground slightly with his hug. I can’t help a smile.

  “I kind of got tied up,” I say, not really wanting to give him the whole story. “It was a job.”

  “I was worried.” His arm is around my neck, and he escorts me into the bar. The doorman says something, and I feel him wave. “I don’t like it when you disappear without a word.”

  “Sorry.” I give him a nudge in the ribs. “From what I understand, you were pretty occupied the whole time anyway.”

  “Only briefly. Here,” he stops at a high table. “I reserved this one for you and your disruptive guest. Half the crowd is undercover guards.”

  “I’m expanding your audience.”

  “So you’re saying I’ll get new fans out of this?”

  “Only if you’re good.”

  “I’m always good.” A kiss to my cheek and he takes off in the direction of the stage.

  I press my lips into a smile, thinking how I can’t regret a thing when it comes to him. I’ll do whatever it takes to shield him from my bad choices.

  “Can I get you a drink?” A female is at the table, and I try to decide if I’ll risk alcohol tonight.

  I wonder if Cameron’s security detail is somewhere nearby and who they might be. I’m jolted with the sudden thought, Do they have a guard on me? Why didn’t I consider this before?

  “Miss?”

  “Oh!” I snap out of my light bulb moment. “Just a coke for now, thanks.”

  She disappears, and I move my head as if looking around. No dice. I can’t see anything once the sun goes down.

  A loud murmur moves through the room, and the flash of cameras registers in my limited vision. Within seconds, I know what’s happening.

  “I love this place,” Ava says, joining me at the high table. She slides her arm around my waist in a hug before climbing onto a chair beside me.

  “You made it!” I say, trying to calm my racing pulse. Logan is somewhere around here. I wonder if he’ll join us at the table, and I try not to care.

  “I love that jacket,” she says, running a finger down my sleeve.

  I pull back, unable to resist. “Hands off, thief.”

  “Rude!” she laughs.

  Just as fast she catches my wrist, placing my tiny wallet on my palm. My jaw drops. “You’re completely corrupt.”

  She only laughs more. “When I hugged you. I was testing your extrasensory abilities. I have to say, you failed.”

  “That’s a myth. Blind people don’t have any special powers. We just notice things differently than sighted people.”

  Warmth approaches from my right, and I know at once who’s standing behind me. “I’ll be in the back corner behind the bar,” he says, and my heartbeat quickens.

  “We’ll be here,” Ava calls happily and orders a glass of champagne when the waitress reappears. Leaning against my shoulder, her lips touch my ear as she coos. “Your little brother is hot.”

  I’m so distracted trying not to think of Logan being somewhere in the shadows behind the bar, I almost don’t even register.

  “What?” I blink back to my royal guest. “Oh! Cameron. He was always a cute kid.”

  “I can’t imagine not being able to see him.” Her voice is sad, but I cut her off.

  “No, you’re right! I can see him in pictures on my phone. I just have to enlarge them.”

  The music starts, and it’s impossible to hear each other. Cameron’s band has gotten electric since the last time I heard him. It’s louder and less acoustic, and from what I can tell, Cam’s out front more now.

  “I thought he played the guitar?” Ava shouts in my ear. I wince back from the ticklish vibration of her voice.

  “He’s not playing?” I shout toward her.

  “Nope,” she calls, pausing for a drink. “Just singing and prancing around being all sexy.”

  That makes me want to laugh. I slip off the stool and realize I need to visit the ladies. “Do you need to use the restroom?” I shout.

  A prolonged pause while I wait, then she cries, “Oh! I shook my head.” She makes an embarrassed sound. “No, I’m okay. Are you okay to go alone?”

  “We’re never really alone, are we?” I think of the guards all around us here.

  “Very philosophical.”

  I do a little wave and follow the noise of voices and the echo of glasses toward the bar area. Once I arrive, I walk slowly along the perimeter of the busy area where patrons sit with their backs to me. I can tell by the changing of the sounds I’m approaching a more secluded corner. I realize too late I’m on a fool’s errand, considering I’m not familiar with the layout of this place.

  “Are you lost?” The deep voice stops me in my tracks.

  My insides go liquid at the sound, and I swear I wasn’t looking for him. What you seek is seeking you drifts through my mind.

  “I thought I’d visit the ladies’, but I realize I don’t know where it is.” I don’t have to speak so loud in this part of the club. It’s easier to hear, and when Logan answers me, he’s smiling.

  “I can show you the way,” he says.

  He covers my outstretched hand in both of his like earlier, and I can’t move. I no longer have to use the restroom. I’m convinced the only thing I need right now is him.

  “What’s wrong?” He stops and steps toward me.

  “I guess I don’t have to go anymore.”

  I lift my other hand and my palm is flat against his firm torso. My fingers spread like a starfish over his lined stomach, and my breathing picks up. All I can think about is my dream, last night, this morning. He kissed my hand. Perhaps I haven’t lost him?

&
nbsp; “Logan?” I tilt my head toward where I think his face should be.

  He doesn’t answer. He only touches the side of my jaw with the pad of his thumb. My eyes blink slower as a wave of longing begins from that contact point and ripples over my shoulders, down my arms.

  “I want to see the things worth seeing,” I say, desire vibrating my bones.

  We’re in a back corner of a noisy bar but at that moment, we’re in a place all our own. His thumb slides under my jaw and gives it a little lift at the same time he leans forward. Electricity pulses under my skin with every beat of my heart. My eyes flutter closed as his warm lips cover mine. His beard scuffs my cheek as our mouths open, and when our tongues touch, my knees give out. I grip the front of his shirt as his other arm quickly sweeps around my torso, lifting me against his chest.

  A little moan aches from my throat as he backs me against the wall, and all of it, all the chemistry, every moment, every desire we’ve ever shared blazes from my head to my toes.

  I reach up to thread my fingers in his soft hair, and his mouth breaks from mine, moving into my ear. “I’ve wanted to do that for days.” His low voice vibrates to my core, and I can only nod. “You have to get back. I have to guard Ava.”

  I nod again. “I know.” My voice is breathy and cracked.

  Two large hands cup my cheeks. He leans down and kisses me twice more, pulling my lip between his teeth on the last time. I’m running my hands down the front of his shirt, feeling the ripple of muscles under the thin fabric. I want to be with him, but he’s right, I have to go.

  So many things I’m ready to tell him. I want to tell him everything, but it will have to wait. In a hazy, happy dream, I walk to where I left my friend. I’m a little wobbly, which makes me want to laugh, and when I arrive at our table, I notice the band has taken a break.

  “What took you so long?” Ava says, as I slip onto the chair beside her. “Your lipstick is smeared. Here, let me help you.”

  She reaches over and touches the side of my chin. She does it again, then she pulls back. “It’s not smeared… it looks like your skin is irritated. Did you eat something?”

  Ducking my head, I have to swallow my laugh when I realize what she’s seeing. “It’s nothing.” I prop my elbow on the table and drape my hand over my face where Logan’s beard scuffed my skin.

  “Anyway, I had hoped to meet your sexy little brother, but he seems to have disappeared.”

  “What?” I frown, sitting up straighter in my chair as if it helps me see better. It doesn’t. “Where did he go?” Just then my phone buzzes. “Hang on. This is probably him,” I say, pulling up the large device.

  I hold it to my face expecting a quippy text from Cameron, but I almost drop it when my eyes register the words. It’s Blix.

  Thank you for always being so useful. While you distracted your guard, Cameron took a ride with Taz. If you ever want to see him again, you will stay calm. Leave the bar, and wait for further instructions.

  “Uhh…” I can’t form words. My eyes close, and I lower my forehead to my hand. Stay calm? How the hell can I manage that?

  My phone is in my hand, but I can barely hold it. The club seems to move out as if I’m trapped in a horror movie with a vertigo lens pushing everything away from me.

  “Kass?” Ava shouts. “What’s wrong?”

  I’m fighting to hold it together. I’m fighting to follow Blix’s instructions. It’s the only way I can save my brother now.

  “I think I ate something bad.” I slip off my stool and stagger back. I’ve got to get out of this place before I break down. “I don’t feel well.”

  “Your face was red just a moment ago…”

  “Yes,” I decide to use it. “I’d better go home. I’ll touch base with you tomorrow.”

  She’s on her feet and holding my arm. “Let me help you. We can drive you there.”

  Leaving with her probably isn’t a good idea. It will seem as though I’m telling them what happened. “It’s okay. I paged an Uber. I can’t cancel it.”

  “You did? When?”

  “Just a moment ago.”

  “I didn’t even see…”

  I leave her speaking at the table and go the way I came. The door is in the center of the back wall, and I’m moving towards it as swiftly as possible without seeming suspicious.

  He’s done it. Blix has always known my weakness, and he struck tonight in this place to send me a message. Cameron will never be safe. Not anywhere. No matter how many people are around him, no matter how many guards. Blix can get to anyone at any time, and I was a fool to think I could protect him.

  Once outside, I hail a cab. It draws close to the curb, and I dive inside, telling him my address. I’m at my apartment in less than ten minutes, jamming my key in the outer door and then dashing up the narrow staircase. My ears are roaring with panic. All I can see is Cameron bound and gagged. He’d be blindfolded to keep him from seeing anything. He’d be afraid, but he’d pretend to be brave.

  “Oh, god,” I cry, pausing halfway up the stairs.

  Only then do I notice the barking. Henri is barking repeatedly from behind the door of Luc’s apartment. It’s not like him. It’s not like Luc to keep him shut up when I return to our shared dwelling.

  Stomach tight with fear, I run up the final steps, pausing when I reach my room and feeling around the doorframe for my key. It’s missing, and I reach for the handle. The door isn’t closed. It falls open with a creak, and I know something is wrong.

  Pain streaks through my chest with every heartbeat. “Hello?” I say into the darkness.

  “You made good time.” The voice sends ice through my veins. “Come inside and shut the door.”

  I do as I’m told. I’m not about to cross Blix this late in the game. Not when he holds all the cards. “What do you want me to do?”

  His laugh makes me wince. “Right. Don’t waste any time. Cut to the chase.”

  “I want my brother back.” It’s less demanding and more explanatory. Why wait when Cameron could be anywhere being subjected to anything.

  “I want what I’ve wanted from the beginning.”

  “Money?”

  He steps around in my apartment. “Wade Paxton died owing me millions. I ran around doing his bidding like a fucking dog, and I’m not about to give up what I was promised.”

  Stay calm, focused, in control. “I don’t know how I can help you with that.”

  He’s across the room in my face before I’ve said my last word. I’m too late to stop a cry from slipping out of my throat. He’s too fast for me to keep from cowering away.

  “You can finish your assignment,” he snarls right at my temple.

  My insides are breaking. Now that I know Ava, there’s absolutely no way I can make this choice. I’m Solomon facing the prospect of cutting a baby in half.

  “Logan knows you used me to get to him,” I say. “He’ll never trust me again.”

  “He seemed to be trusting you just fine at the bar tonight.”

  “Chemistry and trust are not the same thing.”

  He grabs my arm in an angry pinch. “Don’t make me spell it out. Fucking use the chemistry to get what we need.”

  Tears are in my eyes as much from the physical pain as the thought of betraying my friends. “Then what? How will seducing Logan bring you Ava?”

  That question buys me time. He steps away from me to the other side of my room. “Your position has changed.”

  I go to my dresser and open the top drawer. The knife Freddie gave me should be inside, still in its holster. I drop my arms and pretend to be discarding my accessories. I’ll place my glasses in their holder and take out the dagger.

  “You’ve become friends with the queen regent. She appeared at the café tonight on your request to see your brother.”

  “It’s true,” I say. My earrings are off, and I’m placing them in the small drawer. My muscles are tense. If only I could manage to kill him…

  “Tomorrow I’ll text
you the location of a pickup point. Get her there, and we’ll take her from you.”

  I’m only half listening. I’m feeling the slick wooden base of the drawer, sliding my fingers under my bras and panties. Blix is back at my side, jerking my upper arm away from my mission.

  “Looking for this?” He spins me around, holding me secure. The blade of the knife I was seeking is cold against my cheekbone. Its razor-sharp tip touches the soft skin under my eye, and I cower away. “Stop being a fucking amateur, Kass. I trained you better than this.”

  He shoves me back, and I lose my balance. I fall all the way to the floor, and my back hits the wall so hard, an Oof! flies from my lips.

  “Tomorrow. I’ll tell you where to bring her. Alone.”

  “But—” I start to argue it’s too soon. I have no way of guaranteeing I can get Ava away from the guards. Logan will never go for this.

  “Logan can make the choice—Ava or you.”

  “He’d never choose me over her. He’s sworn to protect her.”

  Blix’s laugh is curt. “For the first time, I realize how blind you truly are.”

  Desperation has me by the throat. I don’t know how to get out of this. “No,” is all I can say.

  “You’ll do it, or you’ll be collecting pieces of your brother from the Mediterranean.”

  I turn my head and press my eyes against the backs of my hands. My stomach is a ball of thorns, and I can’t stop crying. The door slams, and all I can say is “No no no…” Not Cameron!

  I hear every step Blix takes down those stairs, and when the metal outside door slams, I slide all the way down, resting my cheek against the cold hardwood.

  I have no way out this time.

  The First Move

  Logan

  I’m not aware Kass is gone until Ava finds me in the back of the bar. “We should leave,” she says, and I go to where she’s standing.

  “Did you meet Cameron?”

  She sighs and shakes her head. “He left. Kass left. Nobody knows what’s happening.”

  My instincts hit red alert. “What do you mean nobody knows? Where are Rex and Stefano?” I push through the crowd in the direction of the table with Ava right behind me.