It Takes Two

by Allie K. Adams

Jeremy would never forgive his brother for forfeiting his chance to be something more than a kid from an island in Washington State all to stay with his idiot of a twin in the hospital. Why? He’d asked Jason that very question over and over, but the stubborn bastard refused to answer. Then again, when Jason asked him why he’d run into that warehouse knowing there was only one entry and exit point, he’d refused to answer as well. They both had their reasons and would tell the other in due time. Even after three years.

  “Moving on,” Jason grumbled and scrolled through the incident logs from all the local law enforcement agencies. It usually fell on Jeremy’s list of things to do every morning. Scanning the incidents kept TREX plugged in. Intel agents across the globe analyzed every log regardless how insignificant. It was sometimes the seemingly irrelevant incidents that tuned them in on a real threat. “There’s nothing else here.”

  “Read me the headlines anyway.”

  “Aside from the kid knocking over the liquor store, there’s a couple of MIPs, some DUIs, one domestic in South Seattle, a car taking off from a gas station before paying, numerous complaints about excessive dog barking, some kids caught trespassing in an abandoned warehouse on the waterfront, lots of vandalism calls—”

  “Go back to the car,” Jeremy cut in. The rest of the incidents were everyday occurrences. A car stealing gas wasn’t. In today’s digital age, a person couldn’t get the pump to turn on without a card. How’d something like stealing gas happen? “Read me the details.”

  Jason slouched as he scrolled up until he found the story. He sighed long and hard before starting. “A gas station by Safeco Field reported it.”

  “I don’t care about the station. Tell me about the car.” When Jason lifted his eyebrows and gave him a look, Jeremy added, “Please.”

  “Thank you.” He cleared his throat and gave a dramatic pause before continuing. “At 12:55AM, a car pulled up to the single pump at a mom and pop shop. According to the clerk, the driver stepped out and waved before lifting the handle to trigger the pump’s motor, like he knew the owners.”

  That made no sense. Pumps required a credit card or had to be turned on from inside the station. “How old was this pump?”

  “Doesn’t say, but I’m guessing old. That’s probably why the perp chose that station. I doubt we’ll find surveillance cameras. It was also five minutes before closing, so the guy knew the clerk would more than likely not be paying attention to the pumps, instead focusing on the nightly closing rituals. It says here the clerk was new so she thought she was supposed to turn on the pump.”

  “So, we have a driver who knew the station’s hours, knew the pump didn’t require a card, and knew the clerk was new.”

  “Inside job?”

  Jeremy shook his head. Not at a small business. It would be too easy to ID the perp. No, this wasn’t an inside job, but it was planned. “He cased the place before hitting it.”

  “For sixty bucks in gas,” Jason pointed out with a tsk. “Another dumbass. It says here he filled his tank and casually replaced the nozzle. He then waved and drove off. Ballsy. By the time the clerk realized what had happened, the car was already gone. Driver had the plates covered, so no help there.”

  “What about the car? Any description?”

  “Yellow. Oh, hell no. This just gets better and better.” He laughed and read on. “The guy drives a cab. Can you believe that…shit.” The color drained from his face as he hunkered down and typed on the screen.

  “What?” Jeremy tensed. He rarely saw such determination in his brother’s eyes when he dug into intel. That was his job. “Talk to me.”

  “The cab. Bree mentioned a run in with a taxi yesterday morning.”

  “Are you shitting me?” He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles turned white. He could only imagine the color of his jaw since he clenched his teeth even harder. “When were you going to tell me?”

  “Yell at me later.” He scrolled through the results before speaking again. “There it is. A cab company reported one of their older units stolen early yesterday morning. It didn’t have a lo-jack since it had been decommissioned. I’ll bet it’s the same rig.”

  Well, shit. That would have been nice to know before now. Jeremy stepped on the gas and squeezed in behind Bree’s car. When the hell did Jason have time to learn something about her he didn’t already know? “Anything else you forgot to mention?”

  “She says she’s been accident-prone lately. Almost being run down by a taxi was only one example. That’s why she was limping.”

  He’d noticed the limp and meant to say something, but then things went off the rails. It took everything he had not to give in to the blinding need to bury himself so deep inside her he’d never want to come out. He wasn’t some horny teenager. Yet, when it came to Bree, he had a hell of a time controlling himself. Last night proved that.

  “It could have been the hitter,” Jason offered. “I’ll have Bailey look into it.”

  “I’m the intel agent assigned to this find.”

  “No,” Jason shot back. “You’re forensics on this. It’s your job to find the money. Let Bailey track the taxi angle. She delivered the assignment. She’s the intel on this, not you.”

  Bull and shit. He would not let anyone else take this. “Now, you listen to me.”

  “No, goddamn it. You listen to me.” He smacked the dash. “You don’t get to make the call on the field work. I’m the frontline agent here. You’re the sideline. This is a field assignment. That makes me the lead agent on this.”

  “This is not about you!”

  “It’s not about you, either!” Jason rarely barked back when Jeremy raised his voice. It was enough of a shock to pull them both back into check. After several breaths, he went on. “This is about Bree and doing our job. Mine is to keep her safe. Yours is to find that money. That’s it. Everything else comes second. Got it?”

  Despite the overwhelming need to tell his brother where to go, he couldn’t. Jason was right, and that sucked. He could get pissed about it, or he could accept it. As their father had told them growing up, embrace the suck. It was time to stop being such a prick. To his brother. To himself.

  Time to embrace the suck.

  “Got it. So, what’s the plan?”

  “We get close. Real close.”

  Not this again. Bree wouldn’t want him for anything but target practice. If only he’d approached this differently. He’d still be in that hotel room with Bree. He’d have her in his arms, her head resting on his chest as those gorgeous dark curls cascaded around her. They’d be completely lost in the afterglow of a physically draining night.

  Instead, she’d kicked them out.

  So, the Bowman brothers had slept in the car, taking turns watching the hotel, specifically her room. Jeremy couldn’t take the chance something might happen. If there was any truth to the chatter, he wanted to be there in case TREX was completely wrong on their intel. Or worse.

  In case they were right.

  ELEVEN

  As much as she tried to ignore the way the replacement driver kept eyeing her in the rearview mirror, Bree couldn’t, not when he snagged her gaze and held it. It was unnerving, those dark eyes watching her, studying her. She smiled politely and quickly glanced out the window.

  She winced when the sudden movement sent an explosion of pain throbbing in the base of her neck and behind her eyes. What the hell had she been thinking drinking that entire bottle of champagne?

  The smoke from the wildfires in Eastern Washington had made its way onto the other side of the state and hung low, giving off the appearance of dirty rain clouds. She couldn’t imagine how thick it had to be closer to the fires. The lack of oxygen in the air only made her head pound harder.

  Casually, she swung her gaze to the mirror, catching him watching her yet again. This time, she didn’t look away. After several seconds, he dropped his attention to the road.

  “I didn’t catch your name,” she prompted. If he was some psycho, engag
ing him in a little human interaction would only work in her favor. She hoped.

  “I didn’t give it.”

  Wow. Rude much? Okay, that didn’t work. Maybe she’d be better off not engaging him.

  He tapped the Bluetooth piece in his ear. “Rand.”

  Rand? What kind of name was that? Who was this guy and why did he have a slight English accent? Did TREX work with the British government? Was he a real, live James Bond, licensed to kill and all?

  “No,” he growled and shot her a look through the mirror. “Dumb and dumber called me on that favor. Don’t ask me. She’s your wife, Spence. Wait, is today Sunday?” He glanced at the dash. “It’s nine-thirty. She’s at the mall on the Westside. Jack has a standing playdate. Can I help it if I’m a better tracker than you?” Laughing, he went on. “She left you alone with Emily, didn’t she? And now you’re freaking out. Don’t deny it, mate. I hear the panic in your voice.”

  He nodded as he listened. When he jumped his gaze to the mirror, Bree quickly looked away. Heat hit her cheeks at being caught listening in. That didn’t stop her from eavesdropping on the rest of his conversation.

  “Yeah, I can hear her. Her lungs are just fine. Carry her with her belly pressed against your forearm. I’m telling you, it works with my sister’s kids. Knowing who her daddy is, she’s probably full of gas.” He chuckled before quickly losing his smile. “You tell Kat I said that, and I’ll have your ass. Don’t think you can hide from me. I’ll find you. It’s what we do.”

  His last comment had Bree staring at him with wide eyes. It’s what we do. That was exactly what Jason had said last night. “Are you with TREX?”

  “Ah, shit. I gotta go.” He tapped the earpiece and stared straight ahead. Sure, now he avoided her gaze.

  She didn’t know whether to be pissed at the Bowmans for changing out her driver, or for the driver they’d chosen. Regardless, she wanted to tell them exactly what she thought of their plan to babysit her. Glancing over her shoulder, she scanned the cars. When she spotted them three vehicles back and one lane over, she narrowed her eyes. They widened their eyes at the same time and both mouthed, oh shit. “Call them.”

  “I don’t know—”

  “Call them.” She whipped around, redirecting her anger and holding him in her glare. He nodded and put it through the car speakers before dialing.

  “Rand?” It was Jeremy. He sounded worried. “Is everything okay?”

  “That depends on your definition.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “It means,” Bree jumped in, fighting to keep her voice steady. “I’m on to you. Don’t pretend you didn’t see me spot you. Who the hell do you think you are switching out my driver with one of your TREXers?”

  “Bree, listen.”

  “No, you listen. This whole protector act you have going got old five minutes in. I told you last night I didn’t need bodyguards, especially the way you two want to protect my body.” She caught Rand watching and thinned her lips. He jumped his attention back to the road.

  “Until I can be sure you’re safe, I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect you. Like it or not, you’re stuck with me. Rand, get me off the goddamn speaker.”

  Her heart went into arrhythmia at the thought of spending every waking moment with Jeremy again. They were inseparable in school. Could they find that again? Could they be friends again after all this time, especially after last night? Would they remain in the friend zone this time?

  Despite everything that had happened, everything happening now, she wanted to at least try. He was her best friend ten years ago. She wanted him back. Whitney was her best girlfriend, but there was something about having a best guy friend. Jeremy had always made her laugh. At him. At herself. She’d missed that. She’d missed him.

  “Well, that could have gone better,” Rand muttered as he ended the call. “I just got my ass chewed by a sideline agent, and I outrank the son of a bitch. You must have your claws in deep with that one. I’ve never seen him this worked up, and that includes the time he woke up to find his brother at his side instead of earning a spot on the team’s starting roster. Man, was he pissed.”

  Why would Jeremy be upset at Jason for something like that? Maybe the bigger question was why Jason left. What would drive him from his dream to be the next great quarterback of the NFL to be by his brother’s side? Why would Jeremy need him by his side at all? What happened?

  Something happened. The Jeremy she knew and lo…remembered didn’t carry a permanent scowl. He wasn’t afraid to look her in the eye, to confide his thoughts in her. He didn’t hesitate to smile. The Jeremy from last night seemed too tightly wound, like one false move would snap the spring holding him together. Her heart ached to reach him. He needed her.

  The epiphany hit her and hit her hard. No wonder Jason pushed so hard. He needed her, too. He needed her help reaching Jeremy, to pull him from the shell of a man he’d become.

  Judging by Rand’s hooded expression, he wouldn’t be divulging anything else. Too bad. She made a mental note to do a little tracking of her own when she got into the office Monday. Until then, she’d have to accept the fact she had two ridiculously good-looking, fiercely loyal twins as her shadow.

  An hour later, Rand dropped her off in front of her building, muttering something about never asking for anything from the brothers again. He didn’t bother waving as he pulled away from the curb, leaving her standing there. So much for protecting her. Then again, as she searched the street, she easily spotted their car. Instead of going up to her condo, she left her roller bag on the sidewalk and marched over to the car, not slowing until she stopped in front of the passenger window.

  Jeremy pushed the button to lower the glass. That grin didn’t fool her. “Hey, Bree.”

  “Don’t you hey Bree me.”

  “Would you prefer Breanne?”

  She ignored the way her skin hummed whenever he said her full name. The way it fell past his lips held her senses captive. “I’d prefer you two go away before someone sees you.”

  “Let them,” Jason said, his watchful gaze scanning the area. “It’s better if they see you’re not alone.”

  “How can I be with you two following me?”

  “That’s the point.”

  His comment drove under her skin, lifting the hairs on her arms. She glanced around, searching for anything out of place. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap sat on the covered terrace, playing cards as they did every day the weather permitted. Both deaf, their normal conversations sounded like shouting matches.

  Two old women occupied the bench outside the wrought iron fence separating the sidewalk from the yard. They stared straight ahead, frowns on their sagging faces as they waited for the bus. Cars lined both sides of the street, the only open space directly across from the building’s entrance. “Who are you making that point to?”

  “Anyone watching.”

  “But no one is out here,” she insisted, irritated they followed her home, and irritated she now stood here talking to them.

  “That you can see.”

  Her heart skipped. Twice. He sounded so casual, so natural, like he’d just answered the phone, not informed her of whatever threats hid in the shadows these two swore were after her. Good luck sleeping tonight. “Quit trying to scare me, Jason.”

  He swung that penetrating gaze her way. “Is that what I’m trying to do?”

  “This isn’t funny.”

  “Do you see me laughing?”

  “All right, you two.” Jeremy drew her attention after his brother spoke. “Jason, quit being, well, you.” Jason frowned but said nothing. She smiled triumphantly until Jeremy regarded her. As he studied her face, his expression softened. “TREX swept your place for threats. It’s clean. You’ll be safe as long as you stay inside.”

  No offer to walk her to her condo. No other explanation. Not even an apology for planting someone as unfriendly as Rand as her driver. She didn’t appreciate them breaking into her place and sweeping
it for anything. “I guess you can go, then.”

  “Wait.” He grasped her hand as she backed away from the vehicle. “Let me walk you to your door.” Stepping out, he released his grip to close the door. He didn’t take her hand to lead her across the street. Instead, he rested his hand on the small of her back and gently directed. It made her feel safe, like nothing in the world could get to her, not with Jeremy protecting her. She didn’t have to turn around to know Jason kept watch, his gaze burning into the back of her neck.

  Maybe having the twins as her bodyguards wouldn’t be so bad.

  As they passed her roller bag, Jeremy snagged it without slowing. She mentally walked through a million ways to invite him up to her penthouse without it coming across as desperate. No matter how stupid it sounded in her head, it would come out even worse if she said it out loud.

  They stopped at the double glass doors leading inside the building. Staring into his eyes, she waited. Would he kiss her? Insist on coming upstairs? If he joined her, Jason wouldn’t be far behind. Then where would she be? Between them once again. The idea had her heart in palpitations and a fine layer of sweat breaking out on her upper lip. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

  He cupped her face and lifted her chin. She licked her lips, holding her breath as he leaned in. By the time he covered her mouth with his, she was dizzy from the anticipation. He didn’t disappoint. Where last night’s kisses were ignited by passion and fervent need, this kiss was gentle, like a caress. That didn’t make it any less heated. If anything, this one curled her toes even more.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he whispered against her lips.

  “Don’t you want to come up?” she asked before reason could overtake her insanity.

  He grinned and stared deep into her eyes. Unable to pull away, she stared back, lost in those endless pools of blue. “As much as I’d love to, Jason and I have work to do.”

  Disappointment clung to her, weighing her down. She dropped her gaze and nodded. “Of course. I have a lot of work to do myself.”