Fatal Dreams (COBRA Securities Book 17)

by Velvet Vaughn

  He’d ordered blackened salmon with a vegetable medley side. Esme chose the grilled shrimp and baked potato. The aromas drifting up with the steam were tantalizing, but not nearly as enticing as his fetching dinner companion.

  “Mm, the shrimp are delicious,” she raved. “Here, try one.” She held up her fork and fed him the grilled prawn. It felt decidedly intimate to be eating from the same utensil.

  “They are good.” He cut off a piece of his fish. “Try the salmon. It melts in your mouth.” She opened her lips and he slid the morsel inside. He knew the restaurant was packed but it felt like they were the only two people in the room. He didn’t hear the soft music playing in the background, the clanging of silverware against plates or the constant din of conversation. The only sound that registered was the steady beat of his heart.

  The bubble was broken when he glanced up and noticed a familiar face entering the restaurant.

  Chapter Eight

  Tyler Redmond cruised along the city streets, itching to slam the accelerator on his Porsche 911 Turbo and see what the bad boy could do, but he stayed a respectable four miles over the speed limit. He braked at a yellow light, when he really wanted to floor it and shoot through the intersection, but he didn’t need a ticket today.

  The flashy, luxury sportscar was an impulse buy. He’d wanted something to attract the chicks. Thanks to Dante Costa, he now sported a body that drew stares, but he’d always feel like the class geek. No matter how many pull-ups he could rip off or how much weight he pressed, he still felt like that nerdy kid who was years younger than everyone in his classes.

  He loved his job at COBRA Securities. The people he worked with never treated him like an outcast. Not one time. Even the first day when he showed up with spiky purple hair and a chip on his bony shoulder. They’d welcomed him into their family with open arms.

  Tyler’s own parents had never been demonstrative with feelings. Both were rocket scientists who were more comfortable with formulas and numbers than with their dorky offspring. He knew they loved him, but in an impersonal way. He was almost certain his mother never changed his diapers and his father had sure never played catch or thrown a football with him. A string of nannies and caretakers raised him, but most of his childhood had been spent alone. Consequently, his love for computers developed early and by the time he was ten, he could hack into any system out there.

  With his talent, he could’ve used his expertise to take down governments or pad offshore accounts, but he wanted to be able to sleep at night. He felt fortunate that he worked with the most incredible people on the planet and they were making a difference. They saved lives.

  A car pulled up to the light beside him. He glanced over to see a ravishing redhead checking out his whip. She smiled in invitation. It really was a babe magnet. He gave her a saucy little salute as he powered forward when the light switched to green.

  He wondered if Lyra would be impressed with his car. Thinking about her made his palms sweat again. Being so much younger than everyone in his class meant he didn’t date all through high school or college. He had female friends, but they saw him as the young genius who helped them with their algebra papers or the guy who could recite the periodic table from memory. He’d had more virtual dates than actual ones—not that he’d ever admit that embarrassing statistic to anyone. Ever. He loved his job so much, he worked almost twenty-four seven. He even developed several security programs that were being sold to other agencies across the country. The government was interested in one as well. That didn’t leave him much time for the ladies, so his dating skills weren’t the greatest. He couldn’t even call them rusty because they’d never been shiny in the first place. He’d crushed on more than one of his coworkers’ girlfriends, but they too, saw him as a little brother. Not that he’d ever act on his feelings since he respected the hell out of each and every one of his colleagues.

  He hoped he didn’t do anything stupid tonight, like spouting off about the innerworkings of a Cray Titan Supercomputer or something equally obtuse. He wanted to impress Lyra, not bore her to death.

  He located her address in the small condominium complex with ease. The units were all well-maintained and professionally landscaped. It was the kind of place that attracted working adults instead of catering to the thousands of college students around town.

  He parked in front of her unit and stared out the windshield. Why hadn’t he insisted on a double date with Ethan? He was so out of his league with Lyra. Ethan could’ve coached him, let him know if he was acting like a dolt. He had no doubt Ethan would relish that role.

  A glance at his watch told him he was right on time and he knew he couldn’t sit inside the car any longer. Grabbing the bouquet of flowers Kayla Hepburn had shoved in his hands to give Lyra before he left, he made his way up the curving sidewalk to her door. Her condo featured a small stone patio decorated with two wrought iron chairs and a table. Several thriving plants were scattered around the space. Wiping the sweat from his palms, he pushed the doorbell, hearing the chimes tinkle merrily inside.

  The door opened and Tyler dropped the bouquet. His jaw landed somewhere close to the flowers. Lyra was wearing a violet dress that exposed acres of creamy flesh and spiky heels that made her legs look a mile long, even though she was a foot shorter than him. She’d applied makeup that gave her eyes a smoky look and lipstick that made her plump lips shimmer. The tips of her silky hair skimmed her shoulders, the front longer than the back, and the smile she bestowed upon him nearly stopped his heart.

  “Gorgeous. Look. You.” He shook his head, cursing his bumbling mouth. One look at Lyra and he turned into Yoda. “What I meant to say is you look gorgeous.”

  Her lids lowered, hiding her chocolate brown eyes from him. “Thanks, so do you.”

  He glanced at the royal blue Calvin Klein button-down that Dan Bradley insisted he wear. It hugged his biceps and, he had to admit, was worth the favor he’d owe Dan for letting him borrow his favorite shirt. His dark gray dress pants had been ironed to perfection by Maggie McQueen. Melody Colton insisted he wear a cologne she was developing for her wildly successful skin care company. She mentioned something about synthetic pheromones appealing to the sexual receptors of the opposite sex. He wasn’t sure how it would affect the ladies, but he thought he smelled pretty darn good.

  Damn, it sucked to realize he was the office mascot. They acted like it was a great big deal he was going on a date. Everyone had advice and didn’t mind sharing. Sheesh. It wasn’t as if he’d never gone out with a woman before.

  When he grumbled his complaint to Ethan, the former SEAL told him that he should feel flattered. “They can tell she’s important to you by the way you’ve been talking about her. They’re all ridiculously happy, so they want the same for everyone.” That was right before he’d slapped Tyler on the back and slid a strip of condoms in his pocket.

  Ethan’s words made him feel better but then he worried that he’d been chatting about her too much. He couldn’t help himself. He’d thought about her non-stop since meeting her. She dominated his waking thoughts and played a starring role in his dreams.

  “Are those for me?”

  He followed her gaze to the bunch of flowers he’d forgotten and wanted to smack his forehead. Smooth move, Redmond. Maybe he did need someone along to keep him in line. He scooped up the blooms and handed them to her, a little worse for wear. A couple of the flowers hung off the sides, their stems broken. “Yes.”

  “They’re wonderful,” she insisted, ignoring the damage. Her eyes closed as she sniffed the fragrance. “Let me put them in water before we go. Come in.” She stood back and ushered him through the door.

  Tyler stepped inside and glanced around Lyra’s house, trying to get a feel for her likes and dislikes. The space was open concept and her furniture looked new in shades of maroon and decorated with colorful throw pillows. The artwork on her walls was an eclectic collection of black and white photographs of famous landmarks: The Statue of Liberty, the Eif
fel Tower, and several others. In one corner, a metal stand held sheets of music beneath a violin resting on a shelf. It was all tasteful and clean, but what drew his eye was the computer with a forty-inch screen and several gaming devices on a desk. Blood roared in his ears like floodgates opening. “Are you…” He had to clear his throat. “Are you a gamer?”

  Her head swiveled from where she was arranging the flowers in a crystal vase. “When I have time.”

  Marry me.

  He almost said the words aloud. Not only was she intelligent, kind and cute, but she played computer games. His perfect woman.

  He needed a diversion before he blurted out his irrational feelings for a woman he just met. A shelf of pictures caught his eye and he wandered over to check them out. There was a snap of her wearing a cap and gown, standing between an older couple, obviously her parents judging from the resemblance. There was another photo of an orchestra. He picked her out of the group easily. “You play the violin?” He wanted to call the words back as soon as he said them. Of course, she played. Why else would she have a corner devoted to the instrument?

  She came to stand beside him, and he had to concentrate on her words. Her proximity scrambled his brain. “My real job, yes. Making jewelry is a hobby.”

  “Really? But you’re so good at it.”

  She did the eye-avert thing, obviously uncomfortable with compliments. Well, she better get used to them because he was going to shower them on her constantly.

  “Thanks. I enjoy it.”

  He turned back to the display, his gaze landing on a gold-plated trophy. For the second time in less than five minutes, his jaw hit the floor. “Is that a Grammy?” He snatched up the gilded gramophone. The inscription indicated it was awarded for Best Orchestral Performance with her name below. “I’m actually holding a Grammy. How cool. I’ve seen Layla’s but they’re in a case and I couldn’t touch them. Oh, but Jade let me pose with her Oscar and that’s pretty righteous.” He settled the award back on the shelf and took out his cell phone. He scrolled to the pictures. “See.”

  She lifted the phone from his hand and stared at the picture. “Where are you?”

  He pointed to the skinny geek with spiky green hair smiling widely, with one hand holding Jade’s Oscar high over his head and the other flashing the Rock On sign with his pinky and index finger raised in the air.

  She gaped at the screen. “That’s you?”

  Color rushed to his cheeks. “It was taken a while ago.” What the hell had he been thinking showing her a picture of his former nerdy self? Geez, he was a certified idiot. She’d never look at him the same way again.

  “Who are Layla and Jade?”

  “Layla Brooks and Jade Bradley, but you probably know her as Juliet LaRue.”

  Now it was Lyra’s jaw doing the dropping. “You know Layla Brooks and Juliet LaRue?”

  “Sure do.”

  “Did you date them?”

  Tyler glanced at her, thinking she was joking. When he realized she was serious, he doubled over in laughter.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Asking if I dated Layla or Jade.”

  She didn’t so much as crack a smile. “Why is that funny?”

  “Jade is married to my boss, Logan Bradley, and Layla is married to my other boss, Luke Colton. Both men would rip my arms off and beat me with them for even thinking of their wives as,” he made air quotes, “datable.”

  “Your bosses are married to superstars?”

  “Yeah.” Many of his coworkers were engaged or married to celebrities. And none of them were snobby or arrogant or entitled. They were all down to earth, amazing people. Even Harlow Duquesne, whose grandmother was the freaking President, for goodness sake.

  His stomach growled, reminding him he’d forgotten to eat all day. That happened sometimes when his mind was occupied. “Do you like seafood?”

  “Very much so.” She grabbed her purse.

  Tyler held out his arm and she clutched it as he led her to his car. Sweat broke out along his forehead with the effort of flexing the entire walk to the car. Lyra absently stroked his muscles, so it worked. After he helped her inside, he rounded the hood, forced himself to calm down, and climbed behind the wheel. The drive to the restaurant went quickly and soon he was helping her out. He didn’t even notice the black Escalade parked two spots away as he led her into the restaurant.

  Though the interior was dimly lit with strategic lighting and flickering candles on each table, he spotted his friend instantly. Ethan glanced up at the same time. His earlier wish of a double date was coming true. The hostess was seating another couple, so he snatched a couple of menus from the pile on the stand and headed over. Normally he didn’t have a problem keeping up his end of a conversation. In fact, he often dominated. But he was so tongue-tied and awkward around Lyra, he didn’t want to embarrass himself again, like telling her to eat him. He cringed just thinking about it. Surely, he hadn’t really said that.

  “Hey Tyler,” Ethan greeted.

  “Hey Ethan, Esme. Do you care if we join you?”

  “Tyler! Lyra!” Esme patted the bench seat beside her. “Of course, you can join us.”

  Ethan looked like he had an entirely different answer planned but Tyler didn’t give him a chance to voice it. He slid into the booth forcing Ethan to scoot closer to the wall. At one time, he’d have felt dwarfed sitting next to the larger man but the added bulk that Dante helped him pack on boosted his confidence. He’d never be as muscular or as tall as Ethan, but he’d like to think he held his own.

  “I don’t think we’ve officially met.” Ethan extended a hand to Lyra and introduced himself.

  “Lyra provides all of the fabulous jewelry in my shop,” Esme bragged. Tyler noticed that she looked incredible in a top that accentuated the color of her eyes, her long black hair falling around her shoulders. Still, Lyra was the most ravishing woman in the room in his opinion.

  The waiter took their orders and conversation flowed, helped along by Ethan and Esme. Tyler was feeling more and more at ease as he interjected tidbits here and there. The other two finished their meals by the time his and Lyra’s arrived, but they stayed and chatted.

  He owed Ethan big time. His buddy talked him up, bragging on his accomplishments and making him sound like a cross between Albert Einstein and Superman. He wanted to hug him, but that would just be weird. Lyra ate up all of Ethan’s praise about him and then gazed at him with, if he wasn’t mistaken, adoration. God, Tyler hoped that was the emotion swirling behind the brown depths. He certainly felt it for her.

  By the time they finished their meals, he was ready to have her alone to himself, confident that he wouldn’t say something stupid and blow it.

  Ethan grabbed the check before he could and paid for all the meals, despite his vociferous protests. The least he could do was foot the bill since he’d not only crashed Ethan’s date, but the man spent the better part of the evening bragging on him. But his coworker ignored him and that was that.

  #

  Lyra had never been on such an amazing date in her life. Tyler was incredible. He was so young, but he’d achieved so much. It was obvious he was a true genius, but he didn’t brag or boast of his accomplishments. It was equally obvious there was a strong bond between him and his friend Ethan, who had been doing all the tooting of Tyler’s very impressive horn. The affection behind the words was obvious. Lyra wasn’t sure if Tyler would’ve revealed many of the things on his own that Ethan divulged during dinner.

  Now that they were alone in his luxurious Porsche, nerves started jangling in her belly. She stole peeks at his muscular arms as he steered the car with expert precision. She wanted to feel those arms around her. She reveled in the steely strength beneath her hands when he escorted her to his car. Most of the men she’d dated in the past had been musicians, like her. They spent most of their time perfecting their craft, not their bodies. Tyler did both flawlessly.

  Amazing how significantly her life had changed in the l
ast year. She was pursuing her dream of making jewelry while still playing the violin on the side. She was working with a woman whom she truly admired and respected. And to top it off, she was on a first date with a charming, successful man.

  “Esme seems like a nice woman,” Tyler said as he braked at a red light.

  “She totally is. I feel so fortunate to have met her.”

  “I think Ethan feels the same way.”

  She twisted in her seat to face him. “You picked up on that, too? Wow, the chemistry between them was undeniable. You could almost reach out and touch it.” She hoped it was as powerful between her and Tyler, but she didn’t voice that thought.

  “Did you see them when we walked in? She was feeding him from her plate.”

  Lyra gasped. “No, really? Wow, they’re moving fast.”

  “Did she tell you how they met?”

  She sighed dramatically, her hand covering her heart. “It’s like a fairy tale. The fair princess in trouble, the dashing prince riding to her rescue.”

  Tyler’s head whipped around. “You think Ethan’s dashing?”

  No sense in lying. “Very. Don’t you think Esme’s beautiful?”

  “Sure, but not as pretty as you.”

  Lyra’s heart somersaulted in her chest. It just flipped right over. She was already falling hard for Tyler and she barely knew him. If he kept talking that way, she’d be a goner.

  #

  “Thank you for dinner.”

  Ethan smiled down at Esme as he led her to his SUV. “My pleasure.” And it had been. For the most part. Up until his buttinsky coworker had to show up. He sighed, knowing he shouldn’t complain. Truth be told, he’d had a nice time with Tyler and Lyra. Plus, he could tell that Tyler was relieved to see them. If Ethan had thought about it, he’d have suggested a double date knowing how nervous Tyler had been about seeing Lyra again. But it all worked out.

  He didn’t think he’d been successful convincing Esme she might not be safe. Maybe he did see danger around every corner, but it was part of his job. His life, really. He was trained to eliminate any threat before it could pose a problem. And the thought of her in jeopardy wasn’t something he wanted to contemplate.