Undercover in the Dark

by Ann Jensen

  The black woman rolled her eyes. “I hate that name Val, and you know it. Call me Tari.”

  Val sat down and gestured to the seat next to her. “But it’s so much fun to tease you. It’s the only thing that gets you riled up.”

  Avery took the offered chair, not sure what to say. She had never had female friends and when she was undercover, the women she interacted with were either sex-workers or addicts. She remembered little more from their files, but nothing she had read made her think they were criminals like their men, well except maybe the hacker.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “That’s not the only thing that gets her riled up, Val,” the blonde named Pixie teased.

  Cami laughed, making the coins on her odd bikini style top jingle. “Well, while you and I might be willing to put on a sex show to get T-Tari’s engine racing, I don’t think that is the type of fl-flustered Val was thinking of.” Her light stutter would have made Avery think she was nervous, but the woman’s serene smile said it was just part of who she was.

  Avery looked between the two women, a bit confused. “You two are together? I thought you had to be with a man to be part of the Club?”

  The entire table burst into laughter, and she tried to hide her embarrassment at speaking before thinking. She needed to get her game together and stop reacting without a plan.

  “Oh, Lord.” Val slapped the table. “If you two do that, you’ll have Tek and Sharp’s heads popping like champagne corks. We have to do that sometime after this baby’s born so I can be part of the fun.”

  The girl called Cami bit her lip. “Matching school girl outfits?”

  “You es loco.” Tari laughed. “Forgive us, Cat, but if you’re going to hang with the Old Ladies you should probably get used to it.”

  “I don’t know,” Anna said. “The way Max keeps looking over here I think she’ll be with us a while.”

  The temptation to look around for Max to see what the woman was talking about was strong. He had headed into the back area of the room that held the pool tables. But if she turned she might get a glimpse of the gorgeous man. Avery shook her head both to negate her own thoughts and deny the implied connection. “No. We’re just going to have some fun.”

  “Of course.” Cami gave each of the women a look that Avery didn’t understand. “Where are you from, Cat?”

  “Here and there. Mostly Denver.” She didn’t want to have to make up lies she would need to remember later. If she had known she would be in this situation, she would have made up and memorized a background to use.

  “Really?” Tari asked. “I swear you have a New Jersey or maybe Philadelphia accent.”

  Avery’s jaw almost hit the table and Val laughed. “Tari is an expert at accents and languages.”

  “I grew up in Jersey.” Right near Philly but she had thought she had lost that accent after working with some dialect coaches before going under cover. She could fake a Mexican accent and had learned to speak Spanish a few years ago. Her mother had been from Mexico, but she had died when Avery was young and she had never really connected with her heritage.

  “We never really lose the accent we grow up with.” Tari shrugged.

  “You can do that with anyone?” Avery was impressed.

  “Pretty much. Though your man is like a blank slate. I’d say Midwestern but it’s more generic than that. Ow!” Tari glared at Cami, who had apparently kicked her under the table. “What was that for?”

  “Don’t g-gossip.” A small eye conversation went on between the women. Avery understood she was the outsider here.

  “It’s okay.” She didn’t want to cause issues. “This place is much bigger and nicer than I thought it would be.” Maybe if she couldn’t get them talking about the men, she could get other information. “What are all the buildings for?”

  Val smiled. “My man, Dozer, designed most of the compound.” She tilted her head, as if considering. “You would have seen the indoor range on the left when you came in. The apartments for the single Brothers, the Clubhouse and the garage they use during winter to the right. A few of us have houses further back but they aren’t visible from the parking lot.”

  “He designed this building? It’s huge.” Getting people talking wasn’t hard when they were proud of something. She felt a small twinge of guilt at manipulating these nice women, but pushed it down.

  “Yes, ma’am. Three levels. Bedrooms upstairs for crashing. This level for everyday things and the basement.”

  “What’s in the basement?”

  Pixie nodded to the hallway by the bar. “The workout equipment and sparring area, mostly.” The cute woman wrinkled up her nose, obviously not a fan of working out.

  “The s-server rooms are down there as w-well as Tek’s office.” Cami gave her an odd look.

  The server room would be where the computers were. She tried not to show any excitement. Her feet throbbed, giving her a perfect change of subject.

  “That’s cool. Ugh. My feet are killing me. Why do we wear these things?” She scooted her chair back showing the thigh high five-inch heels she was wearing.

  “Because they make our asses look great,” Anna teased.

  “Because they make me normal height,” Pixie chimed in.

  “So Dragon, can fuck me standing up?” Tari winked at her.

  All the women laughed at the last one. Cami studied her shoes. “Size eight?”

  Avery nodded, surprised the woman could tell with a glance. The woman pulled a tote bag from the back of her chair.

  “I have a pair of gladiator sandals you could wear.” After a little digging, the woman pulled out a set of strappy black flats. “You can use the bathroom to get ch-changed if you want. It’s just down the hall p-past the offices and b-basement door.”

  Offices and basement. Her pulse kicked up at the idea that she might get to poke around a little. If nothing else, she could get a peek at where she would need to break into later.

  “Why doesn’t she just put them on here or use the bathroom right there?” Anna waved to the wall to her left where a restroom sign hung discreetly on the wall.

  “She doesn’t seem to want to put a show on and with that skirt she would. I prefer the bathroom by the offices.” Val shrugged. “Your choice, sweetie, but most people don’t know about the other one so less chance of getting an eyeful of one of the Brothers taking a sweetbutt for a ride.”

  Avery mentally thanked Val for giving her the perfect excuse for snooping. “Not that I’m a prude but I think I’ll take the more private choice.” She looked over at Cami, trying to hide her eagerness. “If you’re sure you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.” She handed over the sandals.

  Her heart hammered in her ears as she made her way through the crowd. Avery kept her body loose so as to not draw attention. The hallway turned almost immediately after she left the main room.

  There were no people back here, and even the music was slightly muffled. Avery took the chance, since she was alone, to try every door. The door near the end on the left was marked restroom, and there were four other doors. The first two were locked, and she didn’t have anything with her to pick them. The last door on the right opened into a steep stairwell.

  This had to be the entrance to the basement with the server room she desperately hoped would be open. She looked around to be sure she was still alone. Avery slipped off her boots so she wouldn’t make noise and stepped down, closing the door quietly behind her.

  Chapter 8

  You don’t always need a complicated plan. Sometimes you just need the balls to try.

  * * *

  "This is a crazy ass plan." Highdive, the Club's Sergeant at Arms, complained as he leaned against the pool table.

  Max watched Sharp take his shot sinking the striped ball into the corner pocket. It was hard not to show his impatience. Using the Old Ladies to wave temptation in front of his Wildcat wasn't a perfect plan. It was just one of the many ideas he had for forcing things out into
the open faster. A long as she took the bait.

  He had only recruited Val and Cami to help, knowing they wouldn't mess things up. The other Old Ladies, while wonderful women, wouldn't have the subtlety or devious nature to pull it off. In a perfect world he wouldn't have needed to involve anyone else but unfortunately life usually required compromise.

  "What's our liability if she tries something?" Hawk took a swig of his beer. Max was glad to see the Dark Sons’ President didn't appear concerned. The man was always in control and just a little distant, he needed to be. Max respected the fuck out of the man who not only led them but was always making sure the over fifty members of the chapter were doing well.

  "Not much." Tek shrugged. "Nothing in her file says she has the computer skills to hack us. She can't be hiding much in that outfit she's wearing, so no threat of a bomb or weapon. Surveillance cameras are recording her movements. Not that it matters right now because she's right there sitting with our women."

  Max looked across the large room and saw through the small crowd that Avery was sitting with five of the Old Ladies. They were laughing and having a good time.

  "I don't think she's a physical threat or I wouldn't have brought her here," he said.

  "Why did you bring her here?" Dozer asked. The Treasurer of the Dark Sons was a large man with a graying beard who right now resembled a pissed off muscular Santa Claus. Getting his pregnant wife involved hadn't originally been part of Max's plan. Cami had insisted on letting her in on it and no one had stopped her.

  "She needs help."

  "Then you should have helped her like you did the others." Dozer growled and stepped into his space. "Anonymously with our cash and contacts. Not exposed our women to a fucking murderer."

  His Brother's anger was like a physical blow that pushed Max's temper to the surface. None of the men or women here were innocents, so the insult to his Wildcat was unnecessary and hypocritical. This plan might have been last minute but he had done everything he could to make this low risk. He took a calming breath and tried to think of a response that would de-escalate the situation.

  Dozer's chest bumped his and Max's calm snapped. "Pixie’s a fucking murderer and your woman hangs out with her every day." He leaned into Dozer’s face. "I didn't ask for your woman to be involved. You know I'd die to keep your Old Lady safe, so how about you cut me and Cat some fucking slack?"

  Dozer’s body tensed and Max stepped sideways. The punch that would have taken him in the jaw glanced off his shoulder. He didn’t want to hurt the man who was worried about his pregnant wife but there was no way he was going to let him get a shot in.

  He stepped to the side blocking the next punch. His Brother was lost in his rage. Max avoided the next few blows dodging around the pool table. He slipped sideways after a particularly wild swipe intending to wrap the man up in a hold. Max’s breath exploded out of him as a kick to his stomach sent him stumbling back a step.

  The pool table scraped against the floor moving as Dozer slammed into it. Max spun ready to fight for real but was brought up short. Hawk stood between them with a fire in his eyes that said he would take no more of their shit. His glower alone was enough to have lesser men pissing their pants. How the fuck had he missed the older man moving between them?

  "Dozer, stand down." Hawk turned his gaze on the Treasurer. "There are four brothers within feet of your woman to keep her safe." The President’s glare turned on him. "Max find your chill or I'll call this whole thing off and get the info we need the old-fashioned way." The room should have lost at least five degrees with the ice in those words.

  "For the record–" Highdive put his pool cue down on the table. "I want it known that you all turn into a bunch of nutbags when complicated pussy comes around. Fuck, it's been too quiet here anyway. Is your woman likely to get kidnapped, Max? Cause that seems to be the new requirement to become an Old Lady."

  Max chuckled and tried to breathe out his tension. Hawk’s kick had winded him.

  "Already saved her from that once so we should be good." Was he admitting he wanted her as an Old Lady? Damn, talk about making wild leaps of thought.

  "Fuck, does that mean this is going to be easier or harder?" Highdive shook his head.

  "Doesn’t matter." Hawk stared at them each in turn, a small smile barely tipping his lips. "Max asked us to do this. I agreed. You saying you're not up to the challenge?"

  Highdive held up his hands in surrender. "Just seeing if I should order in some extra ammo."

  They all chuckled and, just like that, the angry mood was broken. Max was happy when Dozer gave him a chin lift to show he wasn’t still ready to fight. It was good to be reminded that no matter what, they were Brothers and would have each other's backs. They bullshitted for a few minutes until Cami slipped through the crowd and up to the pool tables. She gave each of them a worried look.

  "She's headed to the b-bathroom." Her words had them snapping to attention all pretense at relaxing gone.

  Max nodded to Hawk. "If she takes the bait I'll confront her downstairs. You guys are backup in the hall if she manages to get by me."

  "What if she doesn't take the bait?" Cami's innocent question made him shake his head.

  Max thought about it for a second. "Whatever else that woman is, she's desperate. My Wildcat doesn't have enough sense to be afraid. She'll take the bait."

  Chapter 9

  If you don’t want to get burnt, you shouldn’t play with fire.

  * * *

  The stairway down to the basement was pitch black. The dim light from the LEDs scattered around the ridiculously large workout area had been a pleasant surprise. These guys had to have enough workout equipment to furnish a professional gym. Beyond the equipment and the large mat, which could hold twenty people easily, had been another small hallway.

  Behind one door had been an enormous bathroom with several showers. Past that, a large split closet filled with towels and the last door had been the server room. She should be happy that everything had gone so smoothly, but instead her nerves were tingling like firecrackers.

  Racks of servers were against the back wall, humming with power. On a desk was a monitor and computer setup she hoped would interface with everything. Of course it had been password protected, so she had plugged in her device and prayed. Avery stood watching the lights blink, hoping that meant it was doing its job.

  Finally, the light went out indicating the download was complete. She slipped the expensive USB into her pocket and took a deep breath. Not knowing what she was looking for or where they would keep it meant she might have nothing of value on the small electronic device.

  The opportunity had just been too good to pass up. She needed any information they had about her from the files they had taken last year. It was a long shot, but she prayed there would be proof of who had actually killed her partner, or at least records that would prove who had blown her cover.

  Avery slipped out of the server room as quietly as she could. She needed to get back upstairs before Max noticed she was gone. Hopefully, his ‘men only’ conversation would still be going on, and no one would notice her brief side trip. She was about halfway through the workout area when a scraping sound echoed through the room. She spun, ready to face whoever was down here with her.

  Max stood, his hands braced above him on a pull-up bar. His face a cold, blank mask. Fuck. She would have to brazen this out and hope he bought it.

  “Hey, Max. Your meeting done?” She put a sway into her step and closed the distance between them until she pressed against his chest. When her hands met his chest, that strange electricity jumped between them again. Guilt pricked at her heart. This gorgeous man didn’t deserve her lies, but what choice did she have?

  If she didn’t clear her name, her life was all but over. The fantasy of finding out if the chemistry between them could blossom into something bigger was impossible. She slipped her hands under his shirt, enjoying the feel of his muscles against her fingers. Maybe she could give in to the h
eat and give them what they both wanted. Plus, maybe he would get distracted and not question her about why she was down here.

  He stepped back from her, pulling off his cut and placing it folded onto the weight bench. Avery bit her lip as he pulled off his Henley, enjoying the sight of his beautifully tattooed chest. Next, he pulled out a gun from a holster behind his back and placed it on the bench next to his clothes. He toed off his boots and socks. Damn, a man’s feet shouldn’t be sexy but his were.

  He stalked forward, his eyes lit with a feral danger. She couldn’t help but retreat backwards onto the mat that took up most of the floor. Her own aggression rose to meet his. A primal growl, almost animalistic, echoed in the quiet room. The sound appealed to some dark part of her psyche.

  Max stepped onto the soft surface and shook his head. “You are playing with fire. I’d say run but then I’d just hunt you to ground.”

  “We fighting or fucking?” Teasing him was such a bad idea, but it was like he was a challenge she couldn’t back down from.

  “That’s the point, Wildcat. I want to do both.”

  Avery froze at the nickname he had used for her over a year ago, fear chilling the aggression that had pumped through her system. Then rage boiled up from her stomach. “You know who I am, don’t you?”

  “From the moment you stepped into the shop.” Max’s wink was so condescending she gave an angry growl of her own.

  Those assholes. They had been playing with her all along. Her anger and adrenaline mixed into an explosive wave of emotion. She charged at him, a scream ripping out of her throat. He dodged her kick. The sensation of her fist hitting the solid wall of muscle that was his abs made her bare her teeth in a smile as she ducked under his arm. He tried to grapple her and she spun away out of his arms.

  They circled each other, crouched low. Never once did it occur to her to run. She needed this. Needed to be able to fight and let out the anger and frustration that had been building inside of her. She did a low leg sweep, trying to knock him down, but he got a grip on her ankle and pulled her off balance.