Love is Bleeding (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 4)

by Morgan Kelley

  “It irritated me, but today it really bothers me.”

  She laughed as they got in the elevator. “Well, don’t let it.”

  Yeah, that was easier said than done. As he saw the hearts around her neck, he could only dwell on one thing.

  Wife.

  ~ Chapter Fifteen ~

  It didn't take her long to get ready. After rolling out her hair and artfully styling it in long sultry waves, Emma moved onto her makeup. Generally, she wasn’t one to wear much, but as the wife of the FBI director in Vegas, she had a role to play.

  During the day, she was Detective Emma Croft.

  At night, she was married to one of the most influential and powerful men in the city.

  They both had to make concessions in their lives because of the job. While she was more comfortable wearing her vintage clothes and hanging out at home with Greyson, it wasn’t always a possibility. Sometimes, she needed to dress it up and put it on display.

  Simply being Emma Croft wasn’t enough, and that’s why she picked the gown. Was it a statement?

  Hell yes, it was.

  It screamed seductive elegance and bore her telltale mark of an era long ago. After all, she was trying to impress the town who watched them with baited breath, but also her wicked gangster. In a tuxedo, he was the sexiest man she had ever seen in her life, and when they stood side by side, she needed to up her game to match his appeal.

  Gone were the boots, sidearm, and simple suit jacket. Tonight, there would be a floor length sequined gown. At first, she thought maybe it was too much, but then she asked her partner. Emma and Greyson weren’t big on TV, and didn't live in Vegas last year to see the media attention the auction would bring. So, she needed another opinion.

  Her partner wouldn’t let her make a fool of herself.

  Now, Emma just needed to make sure that everything was perfect as she got dressed.

  Slipping into the gown, she fixed her hair and checked out her appearance. While she was dressing to impress the media and everyone watching, her primary concern was her husband.

  Nothing heated her blood or made her wild like the notion that Greyson wanted her. From the stormy eyes, aglow with heat, to the look of need on his handsome features, it just did it for her.

  Now, she was going to knock his socks off.

  Putting on her jewelry, she opted for the ‘C’ necklace which he had bought her. It was simple, classy, and elegant. It matched the look that she was going for tonight. A ring was simple. Emma went with the flower cocktail ring on her index finger and her wedding set on the other hand.

  Both pieces reminded her of Greyson, and gave her inner calm.

  When she used the wand to add lipstick, she was done. Staring at the clock on their wall, she was impressed with herself. It didn't take all night to make the detective vanish and a siren appear.

  Now, for the opinion which mattered most.

  His.

  Greyson was laughing and having a really good time with the two men in their living room. He was genuinely glad that his brother was there. Growing up, there were eleven years between them in age, but now, as they were both men, it seemed less of a gap.

  They could relate to each other.

  After all, his Dante was a soldier, and he’d walked a mile in the man’s boots. Now, there was a camaraderie and love which spanned their ages. It was simply the bond of brothers.

  Then, there was Curtis Briggs. Not all family was born in blood. He’d learned that from the relationships he created with the men he served with in the Army. Now, it was happening again with the man he served with in the FBI.

  There was something to be said to have that trust they shared. Tonight, Greyson didn't have to worry if they would have his back.

  He knew they would.

  It was helping him remain calm, instead of raging against what might come.

  “Thanks for the tux,” stated Dante, fixing his tie. “I don’t think I’ve ever worn one before.”

  Croft glanced over at his brother and was proud of him. Here was a good man who he treasured in his life. “Well, every man needs at least one. You know- to impress the babes.”

  Curtis snorted. “Yeah, you’re going to get all of us in trouble passing that word around.”

  Croft didn't mind. “I am who I am.”

  Dante wanted a moment with the man. “Thank you for being my big brother,” he said suddenly, getting his attention. “You taught me pretty much everything I know, and I’m lucky to have you.”

  He was touched. “Dante, it was my pleasure. I’m proud of you.”

  Dante was overwhelmed with emotion. When his brother opened his arms and offered him a hug, he took it. “I love you, Grey.”

  He was so glad he had his brother there with them. “The feeling is mutual. I got lucky when mom and dad found you in the backyard.”

  He laughed. “Way to keep the good feelings going.”

  Curtis saw the opportunity to bust them both. “You’re both girls. I’m embarrassed for you.”

  Croft recalled the conversation he had with Curtis days earlier. Releasing his brother, he grabbed his agent and hugged him too. “Brothers are allowed to be embarrassing.”

  To say it wasn’t expected would be an understatement. Curtis couldn’t believe his boss was giving him this gift. Not having family to hug, he always wondered what it would be like. Now, he knew.

  Croft patted the man on the back as he winked at Dante. Sometimes you needed to tell your loved ones how you felt, other times, you needed to show them.

  “I see that you three are behaving as expected,” Emma said from the doorway. She had been watching and listening to them. It caused her heart to swell with love and emotion. There stood her handsome man, in his well-fitted tuxedo, and she couldn’t be more proud. One of the best things about her husband was if he loved you, he’d make sure you felt it to your core.

  They all turned.

  Dante reacted first by laughing. “Holy hotness, Emma! You look gorgeous. Why are you married to him?”

  Curtis didn't miss a beat. “Everyone wants to know what she sees in him.”

  Greyson moved forward, admiring his wife and ignoring the men beside him. “You both are just jealous,” he answered offhandedly.

  It was hard to take it all in. There stood his wife in a floor length, fitted, black sequined gown. It was sexy, beautiful, and made her look like she rolled right out of the early days of Vegas as some gangster’s wife.

  It was beyond hot.

  It was scorching.

  When she moved toward him, the long slit up the side showed plenty of leg and made his mouth water. What he wanted to do was worship her, like some fallen Goddess. As his eyes traveled up her body, from the erotic heels to the peeking glimpse at her bust line, he didn't know how to react.

  He wanted to cover her up.

  Yet, he wanted to show her off.

  Damn it!

  He wanted to carry her to bed.

  “Well?” she asked, hoping that the gown had hit the mark. “Is it too much?”

  Both men behind him started laughing.

  Greyson was so enamored, that he wished he did buy her something sparkly instead of flowers. He’d love to see another piece of his jewelry nestled between the swells of creamy skin.

  “No, Emma, it’s perfect.” Then, he focused on her hair. It was resting in long waves, and he longed to run his hands through the silkiness. Later, he was going to have one hell of a field day with his wife.

  He could guarantee it.

  “Emma, you look gorgeous,” he stated, leaning down to kiss her. Even the glossy red of her lips entranced him. When he ran his mouth over hers, there was the telltale flavor of cherries, and for some reason it made him wild. Greyson wanted to lap it all from her lips, as he drank from her mouth.

  Emma ran her hands up the front of his tux, feeling muscle and the revealing bumps of a shoulder harness. Her husband was packing, and she was glad. When he was at ease, so was she. “I can’
t seem to find a place to put my gun,” she whispered, as his mouth remained hovering just above hers.

  He stared down at her form, artfully encased in thousands of sparkly sequins. “I’ll guard your body. Trust me, no one is going to get anywhere near it.” With that, he ran his hand over her derriere, trying to ascertain if she was going to make him wild by not wearing panties. When he found the proof he needed, Greyson stared down into her laughter filled eyes.

  “My kitten is going to behave, I see.”

  She laughed. “Don’t bet on it.” Then she leaned into his body and whispered in his ear.

  The tale she told stole his breath and quickened his heartbeat. Apparently, his kitten had done some creative grooming, and the masterpiece would be revealed later.

  That was now bouncing around in his head, making him wild with need and curiosity.

  “We need to go pick up Brynn, or we’re going to be late. I know you want to mingle,” stated Briggs, grinning at his boss. It was always fun to see the man so focused and in love. It gave him hope that there was a chance for every man out there.

  Emma ran her fingers over his cheek. “Ready, my sexy pirate?” she offered, keeping her body as close to his as possible. She could see the molten silver firing up in his eyes, and it made her melt with need, too.

  “Yes, but there are rules.”

  Both men groaned. Of course there would be. Here, they almost made it out the door.

  Emma laughed. “Okay, and they would be?”

  “You stick by one of us at all times. I don’t trust that whoever is behind the corruption in this city won’t make a play for you.”

  “And if I have to use the ladies’ room?” she asked, knowing Brynn would cover her there too.

  “Take Curtis.”

  He objected. “Hey! Why me? You have a perfectly good brother to abuse now.”

  Croft held out his arm for his wife to link hers through it. Tonight, he was going to enjoy showing the world the woman who was his, and his alone.

  “Because you checked out her ass a little too long, and that’s your punishment,” he teased.

  Dante shook his head. “It’s good to see that he’s still a sadist.”

  Croft held the door open. “Yeah, but now I’m a sadist with a sexy wife to protect. That makes me extra mean.”

  Neither man argued with that.

  They didn't need to see the proof.

  * * *

  Tessa was enjoying their time together. While she worked in the kitchen, Paris helped her make a salad. It was peaceful and very couple-like. Despite the promise not to work, she could tell that Paris was distracted. He wasn’t talking, and he was missing things that she said to him.

  Yeah, multitasking her ass. He was covertly working in his head, and after they made a deal.

  “Spill it,” she said, knowing that if they didn't get it out, he was going to be like this all night.

  “I’m sorry, Tessa, but something is bothering me.”

  Part of loving him meant helping him over the bumps in the road. “We can talk about it,” she offered, moving to his side as he grated a carrot.

  “You said that today, the team figured out that two of our victims were partners.”

  “Yes?”

  “Maybe that has something to do with it. What if they’re all connected by that one link? What if this is an inside job?”

  She didn't like that train of thought.

  It bothered her. They were a band of brothers and sisters. You didn't betray your family. You protected it. “We can start working that angle tomorrow in the office, but I don’t know if it’s going to pan out, Paris. I’ve seen some of these agents before too. When I first started out, I was a probee who bounced from team to team, until we came together.”

  Yeah, he knew it was a long shot. “Me too, but that just keeps sticking in my head.”

  Tessa turned his face with her fingertips. “You’ll figure this out,” she promised. “I know you, Paris, and if anything you’re good at this part of the job.”

  He laughed. “I’m better at this than being an agent. We both know you’re the one who excels at that.”

  Tessa loved him so much. “What can I do to help you stop thinking for a little while?” she offered, trying to give his brain a night off. It had to be hell to think without respite.

  With no shame, he spoke the truth, “Kissing usually helps,” he offered, noticing that once he said it, she was already moving closer to him.

  “Really?” she asked, running her hand up his body and stopping at his shoulder.

  “Yeah, really,” he replied, staring at her lips. They called to him and made him ache with need. Already, his focus had changed. Paris was thinking about tasting Tessa.

  Moving between him and the salad, she practically curled around his body. “Then, I think you’re about to spend some time kissing me, Paris,” she whispered, bringing his mouth to hers.

  All thought ended in his head, as her lips distracted him. It didn't take long for his arms to wrap around her body, as he pushed further into the mating of mouths.

  It was absolute heaven.

  When Paris and Tessa surfaced for air, they were both breathing heavy.

  “Kissing isn't enough,” he admitted, as his body raged to life, calling to the woman pressed against him.

  “What do you need, Paris?” she asked, willing to reach into her own chest and hand him her heart if he asked.

  “I need all of you, Tessie. I want so much more.”

  She stared into his blue eyes and offered him the truth. “You can have anything you want, Paris. I’m all yours. All you have to do is ask.”

  With that, Paris Archer decided to take her up on her offer. Like a starving man, he took it all.

  * * *

  After picking up her partner, they all rode to the convention center in the luxury of the limo. Emma sat tucked between her husband and Dante, while Brynn was beside Curtis.

  It was a relaxing ride, despite all of them knowing what could possibly be coming.

  Greyson was taking no chances, so he had made sure that the three other people knew to watch Emma like a hawk. Unbeknownst to him, his wife had done the same thing.

  Tonight, they were all on duty.

  As the limo pulled up, Dante was shocked at the media attention. Yeah, he’d see them sitting outside the condominium, but this was a full on frenzy. “Wow, is that all for you?”

  Croft wished it wasn’t. “Yeah, well, you get accustomed to it.”

  Curtis laughed. “No, you really don’t. They’re dying to see what Emma is wearing or get any tidbit of dirt. So, watch what you say. Once they found out I was his partner, they started trying to get me to talk.”

  Dante looked worried. “You’re a big deal here.”

  Greyson shrugged. “The media has nothing else to do. Just smile, wave, and don’t give them the time of day. They’re like ants at a picnic- bothersome and an annoyance.”

  Yeah, Dante was scared shitless. The last thing he wanted was to be an embarrassment to his brother. Maybe coming there was a bad idea. “I didn't know it would be like this.”

  Emma reached over, taking his hand. “It’s okay. Just stick close, put on that wicked grin of yours, and the worst they’ll ask is your name. Hey, tell them you’re my boy toy,” she teased.

  Croft glanced over. “If you allude to that, you’re dead,” he reminded his brother.

  Emma snickered. “You’re no fun.”

  Leaning over, he took her mouth fast and hard. When he pulled away, she was distracted and dazed.

  “Perfect. Now, you can’t cause trouble,” he added, taking her hand in his.

  As the limo came to a stop, he glanced around. “Remember, we’re working. Don’t get drunk, and Brynn, don’t get shot.”

  “Hey!” she objected, as the door was opened and Greyson Croft made his exit.

  Out in the flashing lights and swirling questions, he smiled and waved. Reaching in, he helped his wife through
the door. Once they were there together, the frenzy really began. There were questions about their attire, Emma being one of the auction items, and then their case.

  Neither answered, they only waited for the rest of their team to emerge. Brynn and Curtis were next, and they handled it like old pros. This wasn’t the first time they had come to a function and had to look like they fit in.

  Slowly, they moved up the stairs toward the entrance as the reporters kept throwing out questions.

  Finally, Greyson stared down into the limo, waiting for his brother. “You have this, Dante,” he said, moving back.

  “I’m sorry, Grey,” he said apologetically. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have…” He let it die off.

  Croft assumed he meant about being nervous. He didn't like to give anyone information about their private lives, but he knew the second the man emerged, the rapid fire questions would start. It was time to cover for his brother.

  As Dante stepped out, the lights flashed and the interrogation began.

  Emma placed her arm through the younger Croft’s as Greyson handled the crowd.

  “What’s your name?” a reporter shouted as pictures were rapidly being snapped all around them.

  When Greyson held up his hand and commanded their attention, he got it. “This is my brother, Dante Croft.”

  That had the teams of media worked into a frenzy. The minute he admitted the connection, they were all taking notice of the similarities.

  There were questions regarding him being a bachelor, what he did for a living, and if he was staying in Vegas. Dante took his brother’s advice and kept his mouth shut.

  Greyson took Emma’s hand as she led Dante, up through the crowd. Once inside, they both glanced over at him to make sure he was okay.

  “That was overwhelming. I’m sorry. You’re a celebrity here,” he offered. “I hope I don’t ruin that for you.”

  They understood his nerves, but there wasn’t anything famous about them. They were just doing their jobs.

  “Don’t worry about it. We’re inside and it’s time to mingle,” Emma reassured, as they moved through the throngs of the wealthy and overindulged.