by Mimi Barbour
For the first time, her slight frame concerned him. He knew she’d be overpowered in a fight, should one break out. Sweat pooled under his collar, not just from the hundred or so degree temperature, but from the instant fear he felt for her safety. Without him meaning to, his hand went to the weapon attached to his belt and it stayed there until they entered the dilapidated building accentuated by dirty windows and weeds dying against the unpainted walls.
In the front office, a tall wooden counter swamped the small space. Behind, at a cluttered desk, a man sat, playing on a computer, surrounded by papers stacked everywhere, mostly covered in grime and dust. The lack of work being done was obvious. As a front for whatever shenanigans they were covering up, the place was perfect.
The skinny, bored clerk, maybe in his early twenties, glanced their way. As soon as he saw they weren’t part of the crew, he sat up and swallowed, his protruding Adam’s apple doing a dance number in his long throat.
“Can I help you?” At least he spoke with some degree of courtesy.
Maya flashed her badge, and a poke from her reminded Nik to pull his out too. “Good afternoon. I’m Agent Maya Barnes, and this is my associate, Agent Foster. We’d like to speak to Mr. Smith, the owner.”
“Do you have an appointment?” The little shit in front of them bleated the spiel he was obviously trained to use. Nik wanted to reach across the disgusting, dirty barrier, grab his scrawny neck and haul his disrespectful ass closer. Instead, he stood back and waited to see how Maya would handle the situation.
“As a matter of fact, this badge says I have an appointment with the man whenever I want it. Now pick up that intercom and tell him Agent Barnes wants a few words.”
Running dirty fingernails through short-cropped hair, the idiot hesitated until Nik stepped forward warningly. Then he did as he was told.
After speaking into the phone, informing his boss about the visitors, he pointed to the doorway on the left and gestured for them to enter.
Nik walked over and opened the door. Once he’d ascertained that one man dressed casually in shorts and a white golf shirt sat with his feet propped on the desk, holding a tablet in his hands did he move aside and let her precede.
Their host laid his toy down and sat up, taking his time to acknowledge their entrance. Finally, he looked at them arrogantly and spoke. “I understand you wanted to see Mr. Smith? I’m Smith junior. My dad isn’t here. What can I do for you?”
Nik took an instant dislike to the muscled-oaf scumbag, whose eyes were literally undressing Maya as she pretended indifference.
“We have some questions for you, Mr. Smith.” Maya took her time, her husky voice low, making him strain to hear. “You registered a stolen truck this morning with the NOPD, and we’ve come to inform you it’s been located and is being held at the Claibourne impound.”
Pretending astonishment, Smith said, “You mean to tell me the Feds are making personal visits to all robbery victims now? I’m impressed by your dedication.”
“Well, I’m unimpressed with you thinking we’d believe for a minute that Al Bard isn’t your employee and that you didn’t send him to pick up that container. You know, the one imprisoning a dead girl’s body while it lay rotting in the heat.”
Bristling, Smith leaned across the desk and pointed his finger at Maya. “We don’t know nothing about no dead girl, and we don’t have any Al Bard listed in our employees’ records. Never heard of the guy. If he says we sent him to pick something up at the docks, he’s a lyin’ sack of shit.”
“No, he isn’t. I mean he is a lyin’ sack of shit. You got that right. But he isn’t mistaken about you employing him. He’s working out a deal with his lawyer right now to tell us everything he knows about the little operation you have set up here—”
Interrupting, bristling like a cat with his tail clamped between the teeth of a pissed-off bulldog, he spat out the words, “You can talk to my lawyer, too.”
Acting reasonable, Maya smiled, pure devilment turning up the sides of those pretty lips that Nik couldn’t take his eyes off of. “Look, bud, if you want to tell me where I can find your father, I’d prefer to talk to the real boss, and not a snot-nosed kid whose daddy never trained him properly in dealing with the law.”
Freaking out big-time, Smith lunged to his feet and pointed at the still open door where three, over-sized, stomach-protruding workers stood waiting. “Get out and don’t come back without a warrant.”
Nik, who’d automatically moved between the angry man and Maya, gave him a shove back in his chair. “Whoa, slow down, Junior, and listen to the lady.”
Maya pulled out a card, passed it over. “You tell Smith Senior we want to see him. He’s to come into the office within twenty-four hours or we’ll send officers and a squad car to his home and have him picked up.” Then she turned and headed for the doorway. Without any hesitation, she sauntered past the men who made way for her and only closed ranks on Nik, squeezing him enough that he itched to retaliate.
For a few seconds, the biggest dude, decaying teeth and breath smelling like he’d lunched on rotten fish, looked as if he’d push some buttons. Nik smiled and waited. A slap on the arm from one of the other fatsos convinced the sucker to back down, but only a few inches. And Nik didn’t know if he was glad or not.
Thing was—the night Max took the beating—the only description he’d had to give was that one of his attacker’s breath had been so disgusting that it had almost made him puke.
A fraternal protectiveness Nik had only ever felt for his soldiers raised its powerful head. Without conscious thought, he moved. His hand pushed the guy’s chin so far upward, it came close to breaking bones. Knowing exactly how to place those hits so they didn’t quite kill, Nik felt utmost satisfaction when he saw that the guy would be out of action for some time. Unfortunately, the others took umbrage at this treatment of their partner and moved in immediately. Grabbing an arm as the fist of one man came toward him; Nik used it as a lever to throw him at the other advancing man.
“Stop the bullshit! Unless you all want to be arrested for assaulting a Federal Agent, I suggest you boys calm down.” Holding her gun in both hands, pointing it at Junior, Maya waited.
“Back off, boys. Just remember, Agent Barnes. Your man hit first. We could lay charges against him for police brutality.”
“Not from where I stood. If Shithead hadn’t tried blocking the way, Agent Foster wouldn’t have had to convince him to move. Don’t forget to tell your daddy what I said. He has twenty-four hours. And understand this: we’ll have every exit in the city covered, so no unplanned trips.”
Chapter 28
Once back in the car, Maya went for Nik. “What the hell were you thinking? They were hot for your blood. Didn’t you see the way they acted when you followed me in there? Kinda like you were a zombie from ‘The Return of the Living Dead.’” What she didn’t share was that her stomach contents had all but emptied when she’d seen Nik retaliate and go for the biggest bruiser. Sweeping fear for her new partner registered a whole lot stronger than any worry for herself.
“Yeah, I got the feeling a few of them were shocked. But others weren’t. Obviously, they already knew about Max’s miraculous recovery.”
“You think they were the drive-by shooters?”
“Don’t know. Which reminds me, let’s stop by my hotel room and see if Julian is still around. I have some questions to ask about the bar he says he danced in.”
Maya swiftly floored the pedal and performed a noisy, squealing, U-turn, heading toward his place. She turned to Nik, who sat relaxed, the only telltale sign of irritation at the way she handled the car was that his dimple had gotten deeper.
Chuckling, she admitted, “After your friend disappeared from Nellie’s, I tried having him brought in, but it’s like the man’s a ghost. No one can pick up his trail.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. He shadowed me at the beginning, couldn’t shake the jerk. Then he disappeared. I told him he could stay in the room,
so I’m hoping he’s smart enough to hide out there. In case he was right and they were actually after him and not me, it’s as good a place to lay low as any other.”
Soon they were walking through the lobby, past the pool, and Nik had his key in the lock of the second door from the entrance. At once, Maya could see the room was empty. There were still belongings scattered around the place, but no sign of the man himself.
“He’s not here.” Nik was disappointed but didn’t sound too surprised.
“Knowing him the way you do, where else would you look for him?”
“I don’t know him.”
She watched as Nik made a discovery that didn’t seem to please him.
“The little shit found out a lot more about me than I ever did about him. Of course, he hacked into my computer to do it, but still…”
Maya added, “So you knew he’d poked around?”
“Yeah! I’m kind of weird about my property now that I have this cloud hanging over me from Max’s situation. Just being extra careful.”
“You’re being smart. Gotta admit, though, I kind of liked the shmuck. I hope he’s okay.”
Nik grinned in agreement. Then put his hands on his hips and leaned back against the open doorway. “You feel like slumming tonight?”
Stunned and not hiding it, Maya replied, “Sure. Where and why?”
“The Pink Pussycat, to see if that’s the joint where Julian might have danced.”
“Ah, got you! You figure because Al Bard has a connection there with his girlfriend, it might be the very place where Juli rescued those girls. It’s a long shot, but what the hell. We have nothing to lose.”
Nik chuckled, his laugh lines playing havoc with his normally deadpan expression. “Never know. Stranger things have happened.”
Maya had to stop herself from going over to the man and hauling his ass down on the king-size bed. God, with him around, reactions happened to her body that no one else had ever stimulated. Made her wet, hungry and annoyed for feeling that way.
Controlling her impulses, she changed the subject. “By the way, those freed girls all disappeared. As soon as I heard Juli’s story, I had the uniforms out screening all known places where runaways or virtual strangers to America would normally end up. There’s not a sign of any of them.”
“And that’s strange?”
“Of course! They’d need help with the language and money, places to stay. Poor misfits will have to find a way to get back home. Not much they can do living here, except to become a prostitutes or maids. Look, we’ll go tonight; maybe some of the dancers will remember Juli and will know where we can hook up with him. It’s a long shot, but as you said: stranger things have happened.”
Chapter 29
Nik was floored. He couldn’t believe how stunning Maya looked and how wonderful she smelled. In a body-hugging, silky dress, so low-cut her lush breasts all but escaped the gauzy green stuff covering them; she made all his senses kick into overdrive.
As he held the door open for her to go first, her spiked heels forced her ass to move in a way that had him clenching his fists to stop from sweeping her up, turning back into her place and trying his luck.
She’d done something to her hair; piled it on top of her head. Now her smooth, tanned neck lay bare, flaunting a come-on to starving lips. He licked his and stopped when he realized what he’d done.
Easy, tiger! Rein it in a little.
Not wanting to make small talk, he appreciated that Maya gave up after a few tries. She seemed to sense his reluctance, and, being a smart broad, settled back against the cooled leather seat of Max’s Lexus CT and acted like a content passenger.
Earlier he’d had a hell of a time deciding what Max would wear to a joint like this one. He knew what he’d choose. But his brother didn’t dress like him at all. Trying to think like Max was a bummer. Finally he’d called him and asked.
“Hey, Nik, everything okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“You didn’t report back on what happened today. Bro, I want in on everything.”
“The day’s not over yet. I’ll talk to you later. For now, I need to know what you’d wear to a joint like the Pink Pussycat?”
“The Pink Pussycat’s a dive. First of all, I’d never go to a joint like that.” Max’s disgust could be plainly heard and made Nik laugh. “And second, if I’m in there undercover, I wouldn’t dress like me, right? Therefore, you choose what makes you comfortable. And call me! I’m going crazy here.”
“Right. Later.”
Nik felt better knowing he could use his own duds and dress according to how he liked to look. Rather than styling his hair like Max, he wore it combed to the side so the wave dropped over his forehead. And he’d put away the fancy ring and watch. If Maya didn’t like him wearing the short-sleeved, black and bright blue cotton plaid shirt and hipster jeans, well that was just too bad.
***
Finding a parking place around the back of the joint, he made out the stairway in the dark and his heartbeats revved. Ah! Julian’s description fit. A doorway just underneath those stairs led to the basement.
Before he could discuss his find with Maya, a voice called out from the near the side of the building. “Hey, man, the parking’s on the right. This here is private.” Nik waved, started the car to turn it around and spotted a fancy bus pulling in, painted on the side with the performer’s name: The Misfits. He knew these guys from years ago.
“Maya, I think I know of a way to get us in there with no hassles. Look, the band comes from around where I grew up. I used to know them. I’m going over to see how many of them remember me, see if we can tag along as part of their group so we don’t stick out.”
Surprise lit her expression, but she didn’t question his decision, rather she nodded. “Good idea.”
Chapter 30
Maya, waiting in the car for Nik to return, wiped her hands on a hanky and used it to remove the damp sheen from her chest. From the minute Nik had shown up at her door, she knew they had a…a party they needed to plan. An intimate twosome so they could take their attraction to the next level.
Her libido, sick of the starvation diet she’d followed for far too long, was actively bouncing back every time she laid eyes on Nik. When he showed up tonight wearing his sex-provoking outfit—filling those jeans snugly and the shirt that made his muscles obvious and his eyes glow deeper—whoa! It was all she could do to keep her knees from buckling, her hands to herself and her instinct to whimper under control.
Overreacting to the man, she’d had the urge to beg him to delay their evening’s arrangements, remain at her house and make out. They could try it over and over again—just to get it right. Itching to get her hands on his sleek body, she acknowledged it would happen.
The shirt he’d chosen transformed his eyes from just blue to “oh-my-God-your-eyes-are-gorgeous” blue. And his jeans fit him perfectly, sculpting his maleness, enticing her like a dog in heat.
Recognizing the flare of passion that he hadn’t been able to hide quickly enough, she’d forced herself to look away from his aroused, narrow-eyed gaze and clamp her lips to stop them from begging.Knowing how much he wanted her too just made the inevitable so much sweeter.
***
In a short time, she was moving along with the three man, one woman band, pretending they were all part of the same group. Just before they entered the darkened, sleazy, yet full bar, Nik had introduced them. He’d been right in thinking they were the same people he’d known from his younger years.
The table they were given was right up against the stage where their previously set-up instruments rested: two guitars, a keyboard, a violin, and drums.
A waitress, who turned out to be Al Bard’s hottie, Sadie Moore, sidled up to the band leader, Bob. After getting his order, leaning over unnecessarily, she made sure the other men got a good look down the front of her off-the-shoulder outfit while she wrote down their drink orders. Paying scant attention to the two women, she wiggled
her way over to the next table full of drunks and idiots, all male.
Gail, the female drummer, clung onto Nik and was beginning to piss Maya off with her possessive attitude. “Nikky, baby, hell and tarnation, I’ve missed you, sugar! Why didn’t you ever return?”
“Years pass quickly, Gail. Too much happening.”
Looking downhearted, Gail rubbed her head against Nik’s shoulder and groaned. “I know what you mean, honey. I surely do.”
Finally, the boys got ready to start the first set and Gail reluctantly followed. Nik broke away from the clinger and came to sit near Maya. The other three band members seemed like nice guys, glad to meet up with a bud and more than happy to have him and her sit at their table. She liked them.
Soon they began to play and the western rhythm of their music shocked her. She’d expected a rock band at the very least. Funny thing was, the crowd loved the sound and pretty soon they were on their feet, two-stepping and having a good ol’ time.
Nik held his hand out to her and she gladly stood up, moved into his waiting arms and began swinging to the beat. She loved the way his body cradled hers, wrapping her up in such a manner that she felt protected from other enthusiastic dancers.
He smiled down at her, the dimple sweetly appearing—making her heart seize for a few seconds. “Did I tell you how nice you look? Green suits you. And I like what you did to your hair.”
Not used to a man paying compliments that weren’t wrapped up in fancy words, but were plain and heartfelt, she gave back in the same way. “Thanks, sugar. Black and blue looks good on you too.” Unfortunately, her choice of words was questionable.
His smile started to fade, probably not sure if she was playing him or not. “Seriously, Nik, the shirt does wonders for those eyes you like to flash around.” Shit, she just couldn’t seem to stop teasing.
This time he laughed, winked and gave her the full benefit of the havoc those very eyes could create. Then, over her head, he gazed around the room and stopped when his sparklers landed on Sadie. “We need to talk to the waitress, see if she remembers Julian.”
