Twice as Sexy

by Carly Phillips

  His friend lifted the sheet and studied it. “That bastard!”

  “Wait.” Tommy glanced at the detectives. “I want a word alone with my clients.”

  With a nod, the two men left the room.

  “What is it?” Tommy, who’d been thirty when he bailed Tanner out, was now a decade older with even more experience behind him. And he was good. They kept him on retainer.

  “This kid.” Landon pointed to the photo. “He’s one of the kids we caught vandalizing our patrons’ cars. He said Daniel Sutherland, who owns Club Zero downtown, paid them cash to destroy some cars in our back lot and scare people from returning to the club.”

  Tommy glared at each man for a long second. “And you didn’t report this to the cops?”

  “We got the information we wanted. We didn’t want to ruin a couple of idiot kids’ lives. We gave them a good warning and sent them on their way,” Tanner muttered.

  Tommy groaned. “Look, Tanner. I’m guessing you saw yourself in those kids and you let them off the hook.”

  He ducked his head because he had. Oh, he so had. And he didn’t want those young kids sitting behind bars without a Gabriel Dare, Jason, and Landon to save them.

  “Okay, we’ll go from here.” Tommy placed the photo on the table.

  “We have security cameras everywhere in the club. If they have a date and time on this kid showing up at the club, we can prove the bartender proofed him,” Jason said.

  Tommy nodded. “I’ll explain all this to the cops. And we’ll send them to Sutherland. Let them squeeze him for information.”

  Tanner wanted to get to Daniel himself, first. Talk man to man and have him give up Vic as his accomplice. But he didn’t want to play games with the police either and piss them off. “Fine.”

  Tommy glanced from Jason to Landon, who agreed. “Yeah. Okay.”

  An hour later, because the wheels of justice turned slowly and the police station operated even more slowly, they were let go with a warning they might be called in for further questioning. But they hadn’t been arrested.

  Exhausted, Tanner headed back to the now empty club with his partners, where they gathered around the bar. They sat in heavy silence until suddenly the front door opened, causing everyone to stiffen.

  “Who’s there?” Tanner called out.

  “Hold your fire,” a familiar voice jokingly said, as Daniel Sutherland walked inside, hands up in front of him.

  Tanner blinked. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  Jason placed a hand on his shoulder. “What do you want, Sutherland?”

  He strode over, pulled up a stool, and sat down.

  “Join us, why don’t you,” Landon muttered.

  “I heard you guys had a raid tonight.” The man ran a hand over his perfectly styled blond hair.

  Tanner narrowed his gaze. “On a tip you called in?”

  Sutherland scowled. “Frankly, no. Though I can see why you’d think so.”

  “Look, we’ve had a long fucking night. Did you come here for a reason or just to shoot the shit?” Tanner asked. Before they broached the subject of Victor Clark, he wanted to hear what the other club owner had to say.

  The man hung his head and groaned. “I targeted you, okay? You guys opened up and took business away from me. So I hired a couple of punk kids to cause some trouble. It wasn’t well thought out, but I panicked that I wouldn’t be able to pay my bills.”

  Tanner looked at the man, unimpressed with his reasoning. “Yeah? A bomb scare sounded like a good idea to you? In this day and age?”

  Daniel shook his head hard. “Fuck no. That’s when I was out. I would never go along with something like that. It’s too fucking dangerous and the penalty if I’m caught? It’s a federal offense! I’m not spending a decade or more in jail!”

  The man’s panic sounded real and Tanner met his friends’ gazes.

  “Okay, so what’s going on? From the beginning, okay?” Jason strode up to Sutherland, getting into his personal space.

  Sutherland rubbed his palms against his eyes, then blinked and met Tanner’s gaze. “My brother was in prison with Victor Clark.”

  Fucking BINGO.

  “Victor protected my brother. Pulled him in and let it be known not to touch him. And my brother’s a scrawny guy and they would have had it out for him inside.” Daniel cringed, then glanced at Landon, who stood behind the bar. “Got a drink?” he asked.

  Scowling, Landon picked up a bottle of cheap scotch and filled a glass, sliding it toward Sutherland, who downed half of it in one gulp.

  “So you owed Vic.” Tanner wanted the whole story out there.

  “Yeah. And when he got out of prison, he showed up on my doorstep, wanting that debt repaid. He had looked into your club. Knew we were competitors. I’d already pulled the stupid shit, hacking your sound system and vandalizing patrons’ cars. Vic wanted to target you without getting caught, so he demanded I continue what I’d started.”

  “Go on.” Tanner ground his teeth together.

  “I hit up your cars. I mean, I hired someone to do it. But I guess Victor was impatient and he wanted bigger things to happen. He didn’t say why and I didn’t ask, but he pulled the bomb scare himself behind my back. And then I was out.” He held up both hands, like he was swearing, then downed the rest of the liquor. “I told him not to come back but he’s been threatening me. Meanwhile I heard you guys were taken in tonight and I couldn’t live with myself. So here I am.”

  Thank God, Tanner thought, thumping his hand on the bar. This mess would all be over soon, and with parole violations thanks to illegal behavior and a bomb threat under his belt, Victor was going back to prison for a long fucking time.

  “Call Tommy,” Tanner said. “Let’s do this the legal way.” He blew out a relieved breath because Victor Clark would soon be out of his life for good.

  It was late, nearing morning, when Tanner waved off the security guard outside his home and let himself into the house. Exhaustion pulled at him and he couldn’t wait to crawl into bed and pass out.

  He stepped into his room and realized Scarlett had left the light on in the bathroom with the door cracked open. Catching sight of her asleep in his bed, he grinned. Her blonde hair flowed over the pillow and she didn’t move when he walked in.

  Not only could he get used to this in his future, he already had. Unfortunately, once Victor was arrested, Scarlett would have no reason to remain in his house and in his bed. She could go back to her life, living in the city and making her easy commute to the office. The thought churned his stomach.

  He undressed, taking off all his clothes and crawling into bed, his muscles and bones screaming in gratitude the minute the soft mattress enveloped him. But he wasn’t ready to sleep until he slid to the middle of the bed and pulled Scarlett into his arms, wrapped his big body around hers, and then he let himself crash. Hard.

  * * *

  Scarlett moaned and shifted her hips restlessly against the bed, desire flooding her veins as the most delicious sensation gathered between her thighs. At first she thought she was dreaming, and if so, she didn’t want to wake up. Not when a talented tongue was lapping at her sex and teeth were grazing her clit with a touch so light it was like a spark was lit and faded before she could grab on to it and fly.

  She opened her eyes, glanced at the ceiling, and the sensations continued. Nope, not asleep.

  She spread her legs wider. “Tanner.”

  “Hmm.” He hummed against her sex and she arched her hips, needing more friction. More pressure. Just more.

  “Come up here,” she murmured. She wanted his cock inside her, his mouth on her lips.

  “Uh-uh. Not until you come.”

  And how could she argue with that logic?

  He set to work, devouring her like a starving man, licking and sucking until she was soaring, her orgasm overtaking her without warning. And before she could come back to herself, he’d lifted himself up and over her and thrust deep inside. Her body readily acce
pted him, but instead of the hard thrusting she was used to from him, he rocked against her, slowly taking her higher.

  He met her gaze and she felt the magnetic pull, unable to look away as she clasped him tighter, heard him groan, stiffen, and come, filling her with his essence, his climax triggering another one of her own.

  A little while later, cleaned up, she lay in the crook of his arm. “What happened at the police station?”

  She’d been nervous when the police officers insisted on taking the three partners to the precinct, but she’d let Tanner send her home because he’d assured her they had a good lawyer on the way. As an ADA, she could have accompanied them, but she handled bigger, more complex cases and she had a hunch her presence would only complicate things. The guys seemed to have it under control.

  “I tried to stay up but I obviously didn’t make it,” she said regretfully.

  He groaned. “I got back late.” His fingers tangled in her hair as he spoke. “The cops thought they had a case against us for letting underage kids drink. They had a photo of a license of someone they say we served. But we recognized him as one of the vandals of our patrons’ cars. So it sounds like a setup.”

  She didn’t like any of this.

  “The security company is pulling footage. I’m sure our bartenders proofed the kid. But whoever called the precinct made it sound like it was an ongoing habit.” He frowned. “It’s not.”

  “I know.” She placed her hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat and taking comfort in touching him. “Are you in trouble?”

  He shook his head. “We shouldn’t be.” He pushed himself up against the headboard, resettling her against his chest. “And we had an interesting visitor last night. Daniel Sutherland, the competitor we know was targeting us, admitted his connection to Vic.”

  “You’re kidding!” She tipped her head up and met his gaze.

  “Nope. The idea of a bomb threat charge had him shaking, and when he heard about the raid last night … he came forward. He says Vic was acting on his own at the end.”

  “Do you believe him?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” He didn’t hesitate. “Vic’s a loose cannon. Always was.”

  “Does that mean the threat is over?” She held her breath, uncertain how she felt about that because the end result of Vic’s arrest would mean she had no reason to be with Tanner all the time. Forced togetherness would end and she could go back to her life.

  The one she’d prided herself on. The one she thought she lived for. The one that left her no time for anything … or anyone else. Her heart hurt at the thought, taking her off guard.

  “No.” He squeezed her tighter. “Absolutely not. Until the cops hear about Vic, verify and act on the information, then take him into custody, nothing here changes. We’re careful and vigilant.”

  She nodded, snuggling closer, letting out a relieved breath. She still had time before she had to think about what happened between her and Tanner when the threat to them came to an end.

  * * *

  Tanner accompanied Scarlett to visit her mother at the home where she’d been admitted. Although he could have sent Scarlett with a bodyguard, Tanner knew their time together was counting down, and he wanted to make the most of what little they had left.

  As they walked toward the room, her father stepped out and smiled when he saw them. “Hi! I’m happy you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Dad. How is she?” Scarlett asked.

  “The same, unfortunately. She’s recovered from the carbon monoxide poisoning but her depression is status quo.” He glanced toward her mother’s door and sighed.

  Tanner squeezed Scarlett’s hand for support.

  “Did you make a decision about ECT treatment?” Scarlett asked her father.

  The other man nodded. “Although she doesn’t talk much, your mother is adamant that she doesn’t want it. She shakes her head no whenever the subject comes up.” He paused. “I’m going to respect her wishes. Especially since the side effects aren’t good. Memory loss, confusion, high blood pressure, which she already has. In addition, it takes a series of treatments, and in my heart, I don’t think it’s right for her.”

  Tanner glanced at Scarlett, who appeared sad but resigned.

  “I respect your decision, Dad. I’d probably make the same one myself.” She stepped forward and hugged her father. “I wouldn’t blame you if you started living your own life, either. You’ve done everything you can for her. Visit when you want to but … don’t give up living because she has.”

  Tears formed in her father’s eyes and Tanner felt like an intruder on a very intimate family conversation. He’d take a step away but that would be too obvious, so he remained silent, watching the moment between father and daughter, his heart going out to them both.

  “That’s the most generous thing you’ve ever said to me,” Mack said.

  She blinked and a tear fell from her eyes too. “I guess I’ve started to see what living really means lately.” She glanced over her shoulder at Tanner and gave him a small smile. One that made his stomach twist in a really positive way. “And I’d hate for you to waste the rest of your life not enjoying it.”

  A regretful look crossed Mack’s face. “I wish I could say I raised you right, but I didn’t have much to do with it, did I? I worked a lot and your mother wasn’t really around. Then Hank died and you were always alone…”

  She shook her head. “I was fine. As fine as I could be anyway. Can we just move forward from here?”

  God, his girl was strong, Tanner thought. He wanted nothing more than to gather her into his arms and prevent anything bad from hurting her. But for now, all he could do was stand by her side for as long as she let him.

  Her father nodded in gratitude.

  “I’m going to see Mom.” Scarlett drew a deep breath and walked into the room, leaving Tanner with Mack Davis.

  “Let’s walk,” the older man said.

  With a nod, Tanner strode down the carpeted hall, Scarlett’s father by his side. The low murmur of televisions sounded from rooms as they passed, but he couldn’t deny the depressive feeling of the place.

  “So … you and my daughter.”

  Tanner drew his shoulders straighter. “Yes, sir.”

  “Is it serious? I mean, I assume any man accompanying a woman to her mother’s bedside after a suicide scare and to see her in a mental hospital has good intentions.”

  Tanner grinned, actually appreciating the fact that her father was looking out for her. Although it might come late, it wasn’t too late to fix what was broken between them. So he didn’t take offense to the question. Hell, if he had a daughter, he’d be all over any man who came near her, making sure he treated his baby right. And he suddenly realized how badly he wanted that. With Scarlett.

  “Yes, I do. The best of intentions. Although I’m not certain your daughter wants the same things I do.”

  Mack stopped at the window at the far end of the hall. “My daughter didn’t have a solid example of a good marriage. She raised herself and she’s scared of opening her heart. Are you the type to give up when the going gets tough?”

  Tanner met Mack Davis’s gaze. “No.” He definitely wasn’t a quitter. And in the last couple of weeks, he’d come to recognize his own self-worth, in large part thanks to how Scarlett viewed him. Yeah, his partners had always tried to tell him the same things she did. But it took Vic’s return to show him he was a man in control of his actions and his destiny.

  “Well, that’s good to know. Take care of my girl, Mr. Grayson.”

  “Tanner,” he said. “And I intend to do just that.” As long as she let him.

  * * *

  The week began with hope, Tanner and the guys hoping the cops acted on their information. Tommy promised to stay on top of them and keep everyone informed of how the police intended to handle Sutherland and Vic.

  As far as the club was concerned, Jason not only lined up Grey Kingston, but he’d secured a reunion of Tangled Royal. The publicis
t in charge of the club took off running with the information … holding out on the date of the event. Only those in the know understood they were waiting for Vic’s arrest to announce when. It was everyone’s priority to keep the customers and the band safe.

  But Tanner’s hope quickly evaporated regarding Vic. Yes, the cops spoke to Daniel Sutherland and knew they were after Victor Clark, but he’d disappeared. According to Sutherland, he didn’t know where Vic had been staying, but he did have a cell phone number for him … that turned out to be to a burner phone.

  Vic was nowhere to be found.

  Meanwhile, life went on. Faith asked them to throw a surprise party for Jason at the club, and they picked a Wednesday night so as not to interfere with the weekend rush and so the crowd would be smaller at the club. In other words, so they could fit more Dares into one room.

  Jason had a massively huge family. First, he had two full siblings and six half siblings, all married, not to mention three cousins who lived in New York. Most of the family resided in the Miami Beach, Florida, area but his sister Sienna and her husband, Ethan Knight, lived in Manhattan. Ethan had three siblings, two of whom were in the city … and on and on.

  It made Tanner’s head spin. Especially when the Florida siblings, half and full, along with Jason’s mother, Savannah, and her new boyfriend, decided to make a trip to celebrate Jason’s thirtieth birthday.

  It was Faith’s job to bring Jason to the club on his day off for the surprise. She had, of course, created lots of candy pops and other delicious treats for the occasion and dropped them off earlier in the day.

  Scarlett made a huge fuss about picking out an appropriate dress for the party, finally choosing a sexy but sophisticated black number that she brought to work to change into before Tanner picked her up to head over to the club.

  When he arrived, he took one look at her and nearly swallowed his tongue. Her hair fell over her shoulders in disarray, her makeup had been freshened, and that dress dipped low between her luscious breasts, teasing him with just a hint of cleavage. Classy, sexy, and all his, at least for the time being.