The Naughty Nine: Where Danger and Passion Collide

by Nina Bruhns

  Dameon held the pink silk to his nose and breathed in deep. Giving her a wicked wink, he shoved them into his pocket.

  “Thanks, tiger. It’s going to be way too long until I have you in my arms. These will help.”

  He stood and moved to pull back her chair.

  “Shall we go, Major?”

  Red Rock Rises: Chapter Thirty-Seven

  “Jesse, I want to talk to you about the guy who attacked you. We’re closing in on the asshole who hired him.”

  “Really? Who is it?”

  “We’re not there yet, but we have leads. Tell me this. Garrett obviously knows that Trey is gone and won’t be back until Saturday.”

  Jesse was surprised. “Surely you don’t think that Garrett did this?”

  “Nah. He wouldn’t do this. He’s too much of a coward. But someone in his household might.”

  “Who, Dameon?”

  “Let me put it this way. I’m going to be talking with Ms. Sapphire Somers shortly. Apparently she isn’t living with Garrett any more. Eric got a call this morning from a very angry and drugged-out Sapphire. She threatened him, said that because of the things that Eric said in court, Garrett threw her out. I had Rocky bring her in to the station so I can interrogate her. Thought I might be able to scare the truth out of her.”

  Jesse was incredulous. “Seriously? You think Sapphire did this?”

  “Honey, I don’t know. Someone had to know that Trey was gone. From some of the things Sapphire screamed at Eric, you’re on her shit list. Don’t be expecting any invites to her next drug orgy. As for the guy you put in the hospital, he’s an experienced lowlife for hire. We can’t break him, which confirms that the mastermind is cartel. That’s one thing that Raoul and I agree on.”

  “Wait. You think Raoul is involved?” Jesse didn’t try to hide her dismay.

  Again, Dameon shrugged. “Involved? I don’t know. He insists no one in his entourage would dare go against his orders. I’m not so sure. A further note. Raoul tipped Eric off to Sapphire’s age and drug history. Raoul said one of his guys was banging her. Said she is a regular on the party scene. May be a coincidence but you know what us special op guys think about coincidences. I believe it was Einstein who said: Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.”

  Dameon put his arm around Jesse’s waist and pulled her close.

  “I’ll tell you one thing. Raoul knows who it is, or he will by tonight. He’s got sources up his Uncle Victor’s ass. No one will get by him. But then, I’ve got a few sources of my own. By tonight, Jesse, we’ll have the guy. That I can promise you. Whether he’s Raoul’s or his uncle’s--either way, we’re going to take him down.”

  “Be careful, Dameon.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. Pulling her panties out of his pocket, Dameon said, “Now that I’m protected by this special talisman, I’m armed and ready.”

  He held her chin looking into her eyes. “Will you wait up for me, tiger?”

  She grinned at him. “Do you have to ask?” She nodded at her panties. “By the way, Chief, there’s more where those came from.”

  * * *

  “I understand you’ve been having a difficult time, Ms. Somers. Thank you for coming in to talk with us.”

  Sapphire lifted her head from the table and glared at him through bleary bloodshot eyes. Dameon knew he had to get her confidence if she was going to be useful. The more pieces he’d put together the more sure he was that Sapphire was the key. Her calling Eric and reaming him out had virtually completed the puzzle. Now all Dameon needed was the name. He needed to get her talking. And the place to start was with Jesse.

  “Lt. Rockford told me that you are no longer living with Dr. Chambers. Tsk. That must be hard for you. I had understood that you and the doctor were going to be happy-ever-after.”

  Sapphire frowned, assessing whether he was making fun of her.

  Dameon kept his expression impassive with a modicum of concern. He saw her struggle between anger and tears. Anger won out.

  “It’s that bitch’s fault. If it hadn’t been for her, and her stupid custody suit, Garrett and I would still be together.”

  “Hmm, I understood that Dr. Chambers filed the suit against Major O’Donnell.”

  The young woman came to life.

  “Yes… but… but if she’d just given Trey up like she should have, Garrett wouldn’t have had to. She’s a horrible mother. Trey deserves better. Even though I’m not much older than he is I would have been a better mother.”

  “Yes, I remember you saying that you and Trey were friends. Although most of your friends are older, aren’t they?”

  “Yes, but by next year Trey would have been old enough to go out with me. He’s almost as tall as Garrett is and he looks older than his age.”

  Dameon thought about the awkward, shy young boy with a groan. God, what if by some hideous twist of fate Garrett had gotten custody and Sapphire could have worked her magic on the innocent kid? Dameon decided to go for the gold.

  “You are a pretty woman, Sapphire. Your face, figure. Even your name. I understand that naturally you’re popular on the party scene. Raoul Morales said you are a frequent guest in his clubs.”

  She frowned. “Raoul is not very nice to me. Keeps having his goons card me. He knows how old I am. He just likes to embarrass me.” She added with a smirk, “Raoul may think he is the big boss, but I have my connections.”

  Dameon smiled at her. “Yes, I’ll bet you do. And I’ll bet those connections help you get the drugs you need, and just about anything else you want. Too bad Dr. Chambers threw you out. That’s where the real connections would’ve come in.”

  The taunt worked. Sapphire rose in her chair like an angry cat and hissed.

  “You don’t understand. Garrett still loves me. I know someday we’ll get married. I told you, if it wasn’t for that bitch, I’d still be with him.”

  “That’s too bad, Sapphire. Too bad that you couldn’t make Major O’Donnell pay for the trouble she caused you.”

  Sapphire’s eyes lit with a demonic gleam.

  “Oh, but I am. I told you I have connections. Someone who hates her as much as I do. He promised me that he will make her pay for what she did to me—and to him.”

  “Hmm. That’s a good friend to have. Someone who is strong enough and important enough to go after the people who hurt you. Tell me, does your friend work for Raoul? Or is it his Uncle Victor?”

  “Raoul, of course. He’s important, Raoul’s right-hand man. At least he was until that redheaded tramp butted in. Now Raoul uses her for protection instead of--”

  Dameon didn’t have to hear the name. It was crystal clear.

  “Thank you, Sapphire, for talking with me. I appreciate it.”

  Sapphire leaned forward, pushing a good portion of her D-plus cup sized breasts over the top of her skimpy halter. Hiking her miniscule skirt several inches higher, she gave him a cheeky grin. If her words hadn’t been so slurred and her eyes so glazed, Sapphire might have been able to pull off the "take me" routine.

  “I was wondering, Chief, or can I call you Wolf? I was wondering if you like to party. My friend doesn’t mind sharing. And we have first rate blow.”

  “No thanks, Sapphire. But I’m curious,” he said casually. “How did you know my name is Wolf?”

  “Everybody at the Club knows that. Especially… never mind. I just remembered. He doesn’t like you, either. He says you are a traitor. I don’t think he would like to share with you.” She gave him a vacant grin. “Too bad. You’re cute. A lot cuter than my guy. And nicer too.”

  Dameon rose to his feet with a sigh. He actually pitied the young woman who’d been used and abused--likely for years. Unfortunately the path forward for Ms. Somers was decidedly downhill. He nodded to the matron who stood in the doorway.

  “Officer, please see that Ms. Somers has a place to sleep tonight and something to eat when she wakes up.”

  Dameon met Rocky outside the interrogation room.
/>   “Suit up, Lieutenant. We have our man.”

  Rocky threw him an inquiring glance. “SWAT?”

  “Hell, yeah. We’re going into enemy territory, Rocky. This guy isn’t going to come out easy. I’ll let them know we’re coming.”

  * * *

  “Where are you, buddy?”

  “Where I always am, Dameon, this time of night. Raking in the dough from my extraordinarily profitable, nearly-legal gambling establishment. Keep that under wraps, will you, bro? Wouldn’t want the cops to get wise to us.”

  When Dameon didn’t respond, Raoul chortled. “Not surprised to hear from you, bro.”

  “I’m sure you aren’t. Stay where you are, Raoul.”

  “Hell, man. Where would I go? I can hear your sirens now.”

  At the entrance to the Diamond Peaks club, Dameon barked out a staccato series of orders positioning his men around the high-end establishment.

  Rocky frowned. “Sure you want to go in by yourself, Wolf? How about a couple of us back you up?”

  “No, Rocky. I have a damn good idea what I’m going to find. You and the men make sure no one leaves, patrons or employees.”

  Glancing at the cadre of armed men outside the door to the inner office, Dameon smiled. “Evening, gentlemen. I presume your boss is inside.”

  Not waiting for an answer, he pushed through the heavy door and closed it behind himself.

  Raoul was sitting behind an ornately carved desk, his feet up on the corner. Holding a large fragrant cigar in his fingers, he waved Dameon to come in.

  “Can I offer you one, Wolf? I guaran-damn-tee this Nicaraguan Padron will beat the best whores for pure decadence any night of the week.”

  When Dameon shook his head, Raoul studied him, his lips twitching in a suppressed smile.

  “Hell, bro. You? Wearing Kevlar? C’mon, you know you’re safe here.”

  “Like you Raoul, I didn’t live as long and as dangerously as I have, without being careful. Knowing my adversary.”

  Done with the false pleasantries, Dameon went to the point.

  “Where’s Tomas?”

  Raoul frowned. “Hmm, funny you ask. We had a bit of a problem tonight, Wolf.”

  Dameon waited, not willing to give the fucker any room.

  “As a matter of fact, the problem was Tomas. Damndest thing, Dameon. Tomas was eating dinner. You could probably guess he’s a big eater by looking at him. And I’ll be fucked, bro, if Tomas didn’t go and choke on a chicken bone. Real shame, that was.”

  Dameon raised an eyebrow waiting for Raoul to continue. His cocky buddy didn’t disappoint.

  “He’s dead, Dameon.”

  In answer to Dameon’s unasked question, Raoul nodded to the door to the adjoining room.

  Dameon flung open the door. He didn’t need to go inside to see the extent of the beating that Tomas took. There wasn’t a part of the dead man’s body that wasn’t bruised or bleeding. The knife in his throat seemed like overkill.

  He nodded to Raoul. “Hmm. Interesting. He choked?”

  Raoul shrugged and quirked a brow. “Would appear so.”

  Dameon punched on his com.

  “We have a body, Lieutenant. Send in the evidence team and call for the coroner. Tell them not to expect as much as a fucking partial fingerprint. Word from his boss is that the poor fuck choked on his dinner. Not a good idea if that dinner includes a ten-inch military grade K-bar.”

  Dameon leveled a cool glance on Raoul.

  “Thought I told you we would handle this my way.”

  Raoul met Dameon’s gaze and leaned back in his chair. He laced his fingers together and stretched his hands behind his head, a lazy confident gesture.

  “Ah, so you did. What can I say, bro? Old habits die hard.”

  Dameon nodded to his squad who filed into the room. He directed them to the adjoining room and returned to Raoul.

  “Rocky will take your statement.”

  Raoul waved his cigar in greeting and showered one of his 500 watt smiles on the frowning cop.

  “Greetings, Lt. Rockford. Hell, Dameon, Rocky and I are best buddies. We’re damned near BFF’s, aren’t we, Lieutenant?”

  Rocky ignored him and went next door to oversee their team.

  Dameon studied Raoul, struck by how good-looking his nemesis was. Dark, charming and dangerous as hell. He pinned him with a hard glare.

  “One more thing before I go, Raoul.” He paused for effect. “Jesse is mine.”

  Raoul’s eyes narrowed. He took several puffs on his cigar blowing the redolent smoke up in the air.

  “You aren’t threatening me, are you Wolf?”

  Dameon’s voice was low, commanding. “Damned right I am.”

  Raoul’s face split in a mile-wide grin.

  “Ah, hell, bro. I know she is. You two have been hot for each other since the night Jesse saved my life. You’re a lucky man, Dameon. Guess I don’t have to tell you that you better treat her right. There’s a few of us waiting in the wings if you fuck up.”

  Dameon’s lip twitched. “I guess I don’t have to tell you what will happen to those ‘wing waiters’ if they ever go near her.”

  He threw Raoul a casual grin.

  “Like you said, Raoul. Old habits.”

  Dameon flicked a one finger salute. “Good night. Bro.”

  Red Rock Rises: Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Dameon stalked up the cobblestone walkway onto the patio. Dark and dangerous, his Kevlar vest, Glock, and other accoutrements of his trade were apparent. Jesse saw the feared police chief that Dameon was. He loomed toward her unaware of her presence. The strain on his face confirmed it had been a challenging night.

  Jesse rose carefully, not wanting to surprise him. She knew well the adrenalin rush that accompanied a major action. It was inevitably followed by a letdown. Many men used alcohol or sex to ease the transition. The expression on Dameon’s face when he saw her confirmed for Dameon, it would likely be the latter.

  “Jesus, Jesse. You startled me.” His frown disappeared when she stepped out of the shadows. “Then again, tiger, you can come at me looking and smelling like you do any damn day of the year. Christ, Jesse, you are beautiful.”

  Jesse was glad she’d had time to prepare for him. She’d treated herself to a luxurious bath drenching her body in scented soaps and lotions. Knowing how much Dameon loved to take her hair down, she’d twisted the fiery mane on top of her head, allowing damp tendrils to spring free. Her gossamer nightgown was an extravagance she’d bought several weeks ago, thinking at the time that how much Dameon would like it. It shimmered over the hills and valleys of her body in a diaphanous cloud.

  Sitting in the starlit evening waiting for him, Jesse shuddered to think that only two nights ago she’d feared she would never wear this beautiful gown for Dameon. They’d come so close to losing what they had. Forcing the devastating possibility from her mind, she thanked her angels for giving her the courage to confront him and almost wept with relief remembering his amorous response. She’d known that he was a passionate man. She’d felt that passion from the moment she saw him. It had frightened her. It still did. But now her fear was mixed with anticipation. To her everlasting joy, thanks to Dameon’s expert tutelage, she’d discovered that she was as passionate as he was.

  “Christ, honey, I don’t dare touch you. You look and smell like an angel. I’m afraid you might evaporate if I put my hands on you.”

  Jesse shook her head and smiled softly. “No, Dameon, I’ve been waiting for you. Besides, haven’t you heard, women go gaga over cops and soldiers. All that muscle and those… guns….”

  She licked her lips and gave him a saucy wink.

  He reached for her. “Damn, tiger, you know better than anyone how little it’s going to take for these guns of mine to go off. You’re playing with fire, baby. Don’t you know it’s dangerous to tease a cop?”

  Moving up next to him, she whispered, “What’s makes you think I’m teasing, Chief Macarios?”

 
He groaned and pulled her hard against him. Stunned she felt his erection pressing against her stomach. She wiggled in to get closer, unable to hide her gasp.

  “Oh, baby. You have no idea of who you are tempting. I’m about as loaded up on adrenalin and testosterone as a guy could get.”

  Jesse pulled away and gave him an impudent smile.

  “In that case, I need to protect myself. How about you come and sit over here by the fire and let me take some of that adrenalin down?” She shook her head. “Not with me, but I did find a bottle of Jameson that seems to have your name on it.”

  Dameon glowered at her. “I’ll make you a deal. Rather than shoving you up against the wall and fucking the hell out of you, I will sit down and have a drink as long as you are on my lap.”

  She tapped her finger against her lips considering. “Hmm, I don’t know, Dameon, that seems… risky.”

  “Oh, honey, you have no idea how risky it is. The only thing that is more risky is if you don’t get that sweet perky ass of yours over here in the next five seconds.”

  Jesse laughed, excitement cascading over her. She stifled it as best she could and went over to the table and poured two glasses, then sauntered back to him.

  Brushing his hand away, she warned teasingly, “Uh uh, Chief. You get this only if you promise to be good.”

  Tossing his vest on the table, he unstrapped his back holster and com device. Sinking down in the chair, he raked his eyes up and down Jesse’s body.

  “Honey, that’s a promise I can make without reservation. I’m gonna show you pretty damn quick just how good I can be. For now will you please have mercy on a horny son of a bitch and come and sit on my lap?”

  Jesse sat down and snuggled against him. She drank in the smell of leather and metal and strong man. Excitement coursed through her hungry body. She wondered how long it would take before they ended up on the floor or against the wall as he’d threatened.

  She tried to affect a reasonably normal tone.

  “Tell me, Dameon. Did you get him?”

  He sighed and took a long swallow of whisky.