by Marie Harte
He’d personally gone to the man’s places of business, his storage sheds, and his home, and dumped every single piece of video footage featuring Emma. Even the innocent shots of her walking in town or shopping at the grocery store.
Scott had been just as bad, spying on her in her own shower, for God’s sake. But he hadn’t done that on Garrett’s behalf. He’d just been a creep. The only good thing Garrett had done was shooting the bastard.
Emma, for her part, seemed to be adjusting. Though she’d woken a time or two from sleep and clutched him like a lifeline.
Fuck. He’d really messed up. She could have been killed. What had he been thinking to let Ruth come in without doing a more thorough inspection? And then when she’d been standing there holding the gun, he’d let her instead of taking her down and out.
“Okay. That’s it.” Emma stood in the doorway, her arms akimbo.
“What?” He sat up and leaned back against the headboard.
“Talk to me. You’ve apologize for ‘messing up’ a bazillion times. And I know you still feel guilty about how it all happened, but Trevor, none of it was your fault.”
He sighed. “If I’d been better and—”
“No.” She marched up to him, stopped by the bed, and started stripping out of her clothes.
“Emma?”
“What happened to kitten?” She stood, naked, and he wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her.
“I, ah…”
“Don’t you want me anymore?”
“Are you serious?” He stripped off his shirt and sweats and stared down at his erection. “I’m always hard around you.”
“Is that all?” She gripped him, and he arched off the bed. Though they’d made love last night, he found himself wanting her all the time. That she could have died only spurred his desire to have her with him.
“Is what all?” He groaned while she pumped him, her tiny hand so erotic over his cock.
“I need a strong man.”
“Fuck, Em. I’m sorry. I should have knocked Garrett on—”
She let him go and slapped his chest.
He stared, shocked.
“No. I need a man strong enough to admit he can’t control everything.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I need a master who will take care of his sub, even if she almost got him killed.”
“Em, honey, that’s not what happened.”
“It is.” She brushed tears from her cheeks, looking both saddened and angry. “My sister held a gun on you. My stalker nearly killed you. I know you still have headaches.”
He had a concussion. “I’ve had them before. They’ll pass in a few days.”
“Trevor, he could have killed you.”
He hadn’t been the only one suffering the guilts. “Baby, stop.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her, trying to ignore how good she felt as her wet pussy ground over his thick cock. “If I promise to stop beating myself up for not seeing the danger, will you stop blaming yourself for what happened? Garrett is going to jail for a long, long time. Scott’s out of the picture, and your sister is finally making sense and not being such a b—witch.”
Emma’s breath hitched. “Okay. I guess.”
“And you’re right. I’ve been remiss in my duties.” He moved her so that his cock sat at her entrance. Then he slid inside her, basking in her wet warmth. “Oh yeah. I haven’t been giving my kitten what she really needs.”
“Trevor. Sir. I love you.”
He stilled and stared into her dark eyes.
“I love you so much.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he kissed her.
Sliding his tongue in and out of her, awash in the affection and love they shared, he pumped into her, needing her with every heartbeat and breath he had in him.
“I want to come inside you. So deep.”
“I should be okay. I mean, I’m safe now, on the pill.”
“You sure?” Heaven to come inside her, but he didn’t want to take that choice from her.
“Yeah.” She ground over him, moaning as he kissed her neck and whispered how much he wanted to fuck her over and over. “Trevor, I want you so much.”
He couldn’t get deep enough, so he rolled them onto her back and withdrew, only to slam back inside her. “Oh yeah. That’s better.” He fucked her like an animal, and she scratched and screamed and gave it right back. Not so much masterful sex, but out of control passion he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time.
“Come all over me, kitten. Come hard.”
She arched up against him as he ground into her, and then her body seized around him as she gasped and cried out. Feeling her crest sent him over, and he came deep inside her. Filling her with all of himself, his seed, his love, his soul.
So fucking emotional, but he couldn’t help loving her.
When they came up for air, he kissed her. “That wasn’t very master-like, was it?”
“No.”
He pinched her nipple. “No, what?”
She grinned. “No, Sir. I’ve been bad. I probably need a spanking.”
“That and a good ass-fucking. It’s been too long.”
“At least a few days.”
He chuckled. “My headache’s gone.”
“That’s because all the blood in you seemed to go down there.” She nodded to where they remained joined.
“Hmm. How about we get cleaned up, then I see how long I can eat you before you come without permission? I bet your ass will be nice and red before I take it.”
“You’re such a sweet talker, Sir.”
He grinned. “Well come on, kitten. Time to get my pussy wet.”
Chapter Eleven
Great. They were living together. It had been a week since Emma had told him she loved him. Trevor felt it. Knew it in his bones that he loved her. But for some reason he couldn’t seem to say it.
They played dominant games, and she’d become an expert at deep throating him. Hell, he had only to think of her sweet smile and he grew hard.
Emma hadn’t mentioned his avoidance of his feelings, but she gave all of herself when they were together, and it made him feel guilty that he hadn’t shared with her. If he’d said he loved her and she hadn’t responded in kind, he’d be worried she didn’t feel it. God, she deserved that kind of love.
He felt it. He knew he did. So what was holding him back?
Swearing at his own weakness and wishing like hell that he could finally get this stupid Lancaster case closed, he decided to follow up on another lead that had seemed to go nowhere. The gay clubs Lancaster owned weren’t a front for drugs or illegal happenings. Just a smart business venture. But he needed to see for himself.
He walked down the hallway and knocked on Evan’s office. “Come in.”
He entered. “I’m going to—”
“Perfect. Just the man I wanted to talk to.” Evan stood and closed the door behind Trevor. “Sit your ass down and shut up.”
Trevor raised a brow but did as ordered.
“You’re wasted behind a computer. So here’s how it’s going to be from now on. You do the financial research we need you to. And you go out on cases. You can more than handle yourself. I have enough techies to dig up dirt when needed. I’m not questioning your skills behind following the money trail. You’ve shown you’re a genius when it comes to that. But Trevor, you’re bored and unhappy.”
“Do I get to talk?”
“No. I spoke with Emma, your girlfriend. Yes, she answered when I called looking for you. And after a bit of an educational chat, we both came to the same conclusion. You need more stimulation. Well, you’re getting it.”
“Wait. You talked to Emma?”
“By accident, but trust me, the conversation helped. A lot.” Evan sighed. “Here at Sawyer Security, we’re like family. Corny, I know. But all of you put your lives on the line at some point or other, and I take that kind of commitment seriously. I know about all your personal lives. Even you dominant assholey types need
love and affection to soften your rough edges.”
Trevor blinked. “Uh, how—”
“Did I know about your particular kink? I didn’t ask Emma, that’s for sure.” Evan chuckled. “It’s the secrets we hide that make us vulnerable.” He sat up straight. “Do you know how Lancaster learned who to target in our team?”
“No.” Nice change of subject.
“None of you did anything wrong. There were no secrets for him to exploit, because I know them all.”
Trevor didn’t know if he liked that. Then again, Evan might be talking out of his ass. He couldn’t possibly know—
“For instance, the work you used to do with Conner Financial Services.” Trevor’s cover overseas. “I know all about Dana. About the tattoos in Amsterdam. About Hans Loebner and that mess in Stuttgart.” A hit that had nearly gone sideways.
Trevor narrowed his gaze, shocked but trying not to show it. All that information had been classified. The tats were personal, but still, such a minute detail. Why…how would Evan know to ask about it?
“My point is that other agencies can’t use your secrets to get me to stop investigating anything. I bow to no man,” he said in a bold voice, then laughed. “Yeah, a little full of myself. But I have good reason.”
“So Lancaster? How did he get his info?”
“Lorraine.” Evan shrugged. “Oh, she didn’t mean to. The bastard put a bug on her purse. Then he had people watching us. Clever, and a mistake that won’t happen again. The divorce is going down next week. Lorraine is poised to get half, and rumor has it the Feds are circling but haven’t come up with anything yet to nail Tony’s head to the wall.”
“Please. He’s dirty.”
“Yeah, but he laundered but good. We’re just about out of the woods with this case. Keep your head up until it’s over.”
“Will do. But I don’t see how taking me out is going to make Tony Lancaster’s problems go away.”
“I agree. It won’t. But if anything happens to you, Emma will have my hide.”
Trevor grinned. Damn if he could get over Emma being okay with him taking a more dangerous role in the company. “She’s really okay with me being in the field?”
“Ask her yourself.”
“I will.” Trevor stood. “Oh, I meant to tell you. I’m going to scope out that franchise on the wharf. Hidey-Hole.”
Evan smirked. “Great name. Make sure you hide your hole unless you want some real fun.”
“God, that was just bad.”
“I know. Sorry. Let me know what you think. You taking anyone else?”
“Nah. It’s a gay bar. I googled it. Seems high class, actually. I just want a look around. I can’t believe Lancaster would be so secretive about it unless he was hiding something.”
“Like maybe he’s gay?”
Trevor considered that. “Is he?”
“Lorraine isn’t sure. Bisexual maybe. But for all the guy has socked away or hidden in assets, the clubs aren’t pulling in that much money that he’d feel the need to stash it. I want to know why he found the need for secrecy too. Oh, and you’re not going alone.”
“Come on, Evan.”
“You’re taking Ritter.”
“I thought he was watching Lorraine.”
“Josh and he traded off. Now Josh and Matt are on guard duty. I’ll expect you to call in an hour and check in.”
“Even with Ritter there watching over me?” he asked.
“Even with.”
Trevor rolled his eyes but didn’t protest the company. Ritter could be a funny guy, and they drove to the club in Ritter’s big ass truck while Ritter made fun of him for being pussy-whipped by such a cute, tiny thing like Emma.
“Whipped? Nah. Getting lucky with the prettiest girl in town? Yep.”
“Please.” Ritter snorted and parked the car in a surprisingly full lot. “You have the stink of love all over you. When you get married, I want an invite.”
“Married?”
“You starting to sweat, Trev?” Ritter laughed as they walked to the back of the club. “Come on, man. She looks at you like you’re her hero, and you’re like a pit bull if any of us get too close.”
Trevor had brought Emma to the office a few times since the incident at her house. The others seemed to like her a little too well for his peace of mind. And he didn’t like the fact she thought Ritter was “handsome, in a serial-killer kind of way”.
Trevor studied the guy, noting his breadth of muscle, square jaw, straight nose, and bright green eyes. The lack of hair might put off some women, but it just made Ritter more manly.
“Anyone ever call you Mr. Clean?”
“And live? No.” Ritter scowled down at him, then burst out laughing. “I look tough, no?”
Trevor shook his head. “You’re such a pain.”
“In the ass. That’s what they all say.” Ritter wiggled his brows, but before Trevor could ask exactly what that meant, they were inside with a little cash to the bouncer.
“Where are we going?” Trevor asked, pleased not to have to yell to be heard. They entered a wooden stairwell and exited into a clean bar with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Sound. The mahogany bar gleamed, and the place smelled and looked clean. No scent of cigarettes, stale booze or vomit. Men and women alike sat talking and drinking at many tables in the room.
They stopped by the bar and Ritter ordered two beers from a bartender who eyed him up like candy.
“There are three main sections in this place. A drinking bar with low noise, so you can talk. That’s upstairs. On this main level, a kickass dance club. And downstairs, a hookup joint with private booths and rooms. It costs a pretty penny to belong as a member. You noticed all the cars outside. Today they’re having a big-time poker tournament downstairs. And I do mean big money.” He leaned closer to Trevor and said in a low voice, “Tony Lancaster and his boy toy are dancing as we speak.”
Trevor pulled back and stared. “Seriously?”
“Hey cutie. That’s fifteen bucks.” The bartender winked at Ritter, who winked back. Ritter slid the guy a twenty.
“Keep it.”
Then the bartender glanced at Trevor and patted his heart. “Where the hell did they make you two studs?”
Trevor flushed despite not wanting to, and Ritter laughed and slapped him on the back.
“Come on, honey. Let’s go down and dance.”
Trevor found Ritter less than amusing. “Funny.”
“If you could see the look on your face. Not scared are you?”
“Asshole. No. I could give a shit if you’re gay or straight. I’m wondering about Tony’s friend.”
Ritter nodded as they moved to the fringes of the dance floor. Swirling lights and shadows made the place mysterious and hard to see. The time of day could have been early morning or midnight. Unlike the upstairs, on this level there were no windows, just a long, dark hallway leading to a stairwell on one end, and another hallway leading to the back entrance, from which they’d entered.
They sipped their beer and pretended to be together while scoping out the dancers. Trevor couldn’t help wondering what Lancaster had in mind. He had a boyfriend. Check. He had tried to hide a bunch of dance clubs. Right. But so far nothing could tie him to any criminal activity.
His gaze narrowed on Tony and a hot young man grinding on the dance floor.
“So does Tony’s boy have a name?”
Ritter frowned. “No. And that’s the problem. The key, I’m thinking. What if Lancaster’s dirty money isn’t all clean? What if it’s part of boytoy’s bankroll? That he wanted this kept quiet because his friend out there is the one with all the criminal contacts?”
“It’s something to think about.”
“But not by you two,” a deep voice said from directly behind them. Before Trevor could move, the guy said, “I have a knife buried in his back. One wrong move, I use it.”
“Fuck.” Ritter started to moved but then a huge arm wrapped around his neck.
&n
bsp; Trevor turned slowly and saw a familiar face. The huge guy with the scar, who’d assaulted him in that alley weeks ago. “you.”
“Me.” The guy nodded and leaned closer, kissing Ritter’s cheek.
Ritter stood as still as a statue.
“Now I’m not here, and you aren’t seeing me. The kid’s name is Lorento. Check it out. Family ties into some dirty money in Canada. Big crime family. Tony’s invested in the club because of the boy. The Feds don’t know about him.”
“But you do?” Ritter asked and subtly stepped forward.
Trevor wanted to help, but he didn’t want to do anything to move that knife into his buddy.
“Stop moving, sweetness.” The big guy chuckled and kissed Ritter again.
Ritter looked funny. Even in the shadows, Trevor could swear he blushed.
“Ritter?”
“Asshole is really happy to see me, if you get my drift,” Ritter muttered.
The guy laughed, and when he smiled, he looked, well, handsome. At least, Trevor thought Emma would think so.
Trevor blew out a breath. “If you two are done flirting, want to explain why you’re telling us this?”
“I have my own score to settle. Just have your crew do some discreet digging on Tim Lorento. That’s the kid’s real name. The name he goes by out here is Jamie Belsom.”
Trevor made a note.
“What’s your name, anyway?” Ritter asked.
“Now go before you’re made. Out the back, the way you came in.” The big guy stepped back and vanished as if he’d never been.
Trevor and Ritter left in a hurry. Once in the truck, they sat there staring at each other.
Ritter rubbed his head. “Well, that was awkward.”
Trevor started laughing. Then Ritter joined him. They laughed so hard they cried.
When they arrived back at the office to fill Evan in, the team got busy. Trevor called Emma to let her know he’d be late. But he hadn’t counted on the Feds arriving to question them. Apparently they’d triggered notice when they’d looked up Lorento, even though Trevor had made sure not to connect them to anything other than a vague search.
The government had some damn good people working for them, was all he could think.
