by Lexi Blake
“I don’t know that anyone needs to be assigned to me.” She sat up straight because her stepmom had the most serious expression on her face. It was the same one she had when she went into battle. Sometimes Noelle had been on the wrong side of that stare. She walked today because her stepmom was a warrior who never gave up on someone she loved.
“Of course they’re going to assign someone.” Her father stepped out onto the deck, stretching his big body and taking a deep breath. “Damn, that smells good. Remy, that new marinade smells like heaven.”
Remy, joined her dad. “It tastes even better. I got the recipe from Big Tag’s brother, Sean. You’re going to love it.”
Lila looked to Remy. “Do you know who they’re assigning to Noelle’s case?”
“I’d like one of the senior partners on it.” Her dad was suddenly incredibly serious. He probably had a list somewhere, and whoever ended up with her case should understand that her dad would run a check on him. “Liam O’Donnell is a solid guy, and I like his partner, Erin Taggart. I would be comfortable with them. Or his brother, Theo Taggart. Any of the more experienced operatives would do.”
“Good, then you’ll be happy.” Remy took a seat next to his wife, reaching for her hand as he usually did. “Hutch has been with McKay-Taggart for over ten years.”
She had no idea who Hutch was. In her mind she pictured an older man, probably in his forties or fifties since he’d been with the company for over a decade, and from what she understood almost every employee at the company came from the military, mostly Special Forces, which meant they’d spent a lot of time in the military. She did the quick math. He could be early forties maybe, but probably with a wife and a couple of kids.
“Hutch, the horndog?” Her father’s eyes had widened as he stared at Remy. “That’s who Big Tag put on my baby girl’s case?”
Remy gave him a seemingly apologetic wince. “He’s the computer expert, man. Her problem is based around computers. Hutch is their go-to guy for tech stuff.”
Her oldest brother was suddenly at their dad’s side, pulling on his T-shirt. “What’s a horndog?”
Noelle felt her face flush because unfortunately she understood her dad’s completely outdated lingo.
“It’s a particular type of dog who likes to sniff around women,” her dad said. “I’m worried about him sniffing around your sister.”
Her brother looked up, showing a heartbreakingly adorable grin. He’d recently lost his two front teeth. “Don’t worry about it. Noelle always smells good. She always smells like cookies.”
Only because she baked a lot. The only guys she attracted by smelling like cinnamon and sugar were kids who begged for sweets. She certainly wasn’t going to have some beefy security guy panting after her. He would probably be some muscley dude who spent all his time in the gym and had completely cut out carbs.
“That does not help my case, Jason,” Remy said under his breath.
That was the moment her dad took a Frisbee to the side of his head.
“Sorry, Dad. Kevin’s got bad aim.” Jason picked up the Frisbee and ran off again.
Her dad rubbed the side of his head. “Fatherhood wasn’t this physically painful with you, Noelle. Though now I’m worried about Big Tag’s choices.”
“Armie, Hutch is the guy for the job,” Remy explained. “He’s been doing all the cyber work for McKay-Taggart since Adam Miles left to form his own company, and before you ask me about hiring them, I do not work for Miles-Dean, Weston, and Murdoch and you cannot afford them. Trust me. If Big Tag needs something from them, he’ll call them in.”
“Can’t we get one of the married guys on this?” her dad asked. “You know how these things go. I swear the MT guys view their clients the way most people use dating apps. How many of those guys end up slipping into bed with clients?”
“Dad!” Her father still had the power to completely embarrass her.
Lisa shook her head and patted her round belly. “Nah, honey, he’s right. How do you think I found Remy? And my sister Laurel ended up with Big Tag’s lawyer when she worked for him, so it’s not just the security guys. It’s pretty much anyone in Big Tag’s orbit. They get pulled into the whole love and marriage thing.”
Her dad pointed Lisa’s way. “Uh, uh. That’s only some of the guys. What about all the women they went through first? Did Remy come into your marriage pure?”
Lisa snorted.
“I did not sleep with a bunch of clients,” Remy argued.
“Just every Hooter’s girl in Dallas,” Lisa said under her breath.
Her stepmom frowned her dad’s way. “Are you trying to say Noelle would be nothing more than a notch on this guy’s bedpost?”
Noelle held up a hand. “I was planning on not sleeping with the guy who checks my computer for viruses and spies.”
She would maybe though sleep with someone from her training class. Lisa had told her sex was common and that she’d had an amazing time with her training Dom. If they set out firm boundaries and she liked the man, it would be a safe way to indulge since the guy would be highly vetted by a bunch of paranoid security experts.
But she wasn’t mentioning that to her dad because…he was her dad.
“I bet Lisa wasn’t planning on sleeping with Remy when he was her bodyguard,” her dad said with an extra frowny frown.
“Oh, I planned to sleep with him. He played hard to get for years and all because he thought I looked too sweet for a guy like him,” Lisa added. “So you’re safe. If Hutch is anything like Remy, he’ll stay far away because he’ll think he’s not good enough for her. Noelle, if he gives you trouble, show him your boobs. It worked for me.”
Her stepmom choked on her iced tea, but her dad went pale.
“I’m not showing anyone my boobs.” Well, not anyone she worked with. And certainly not some guy named Hutch. Who was named Hutch? He sounded like a refugee from a bad old TV show.
Lisa snorted, likely because she knew Noelle would be showing her boobs at Sanctum soon.
They were nice boobs. They weren’t the largest, but they were perky. She would have to show her legs, too, and all her scars, but she’d decided to be okay with them. Anyone who didn’t like them didn’t have to look. She hadn’t wanted those scars, but they were hers, and whoever she ended up with would have to tolerate them.
Her father sighed. “Just be careful. Like I said a lot of those men end up in bed with their clients. I’ve heard this Hutch fellow gets around.”
“Well, maybe he did before and he’ll walk in and take one look at how beautiful and smart and funny my daughter is and she’ll be the one he marries.” Her stepmom had stood, staring her dad’s way. “Don’t you forget you and I worked together, too. She is a lovely twenty-five-year-old woman, and any man would be lucky to catch her.”
“What did I… I thought I was saying the guy’s going to try to sleep with her.” Her father scratched his head as though trying to figure out what he’d done wrong. “I didn’t say she wasn’t beautiful. She is. That’s what I’m worried about. And it wasn’t the same with us. I knew I wanted to marry you right away.”
Lila nodded as though he’d made her point. “But Noelle isn’t worthy of that from a man?”
“Of course she is but…” Her dad shook his head. “I’m going to get a beer.”
Remy stood up, narrowly missing the Frisbee. “I’ll go with you. It’s going to be fine. Hutch is a good guy. He’s even had a couple of girlfriends over the years. Well, one. Maybe two. Mostly he’s a crazy hookup guy. Definitely not Noelle’s type. I think you’re safe.”
Lila leaned over the table. “You’re welcome. I’ve found the way to stop your dad’s overly protective lectures is to challenge him in a stern voice. He usually backs down. Now he’ll stop the ‘no one should touch my precious baby girl’ talk.” She stood up. “Which is a good thing because we all know that’s not true. You be careful at that club.” She pointed her sister’s way. “Laurel is still there, you know. So is
our brother. He’s on the board that approves new applicants. Did you honestly think he wouldn’t call me?”
Lisa sat up. “Well, given that it’s supposed to be a secret process, yes.”
Lila’s eyes rolled. “Like anything is really secret at Sanctum. They like to say they’re all covert and mysterious, but when it comes to family…well, Will views Noelle like a niece and he wants to avoid her at all costs. Be nice to your uncle and don’t do anything pervy around him. His club night is Friday. Maybe you could go on Saturdays.”
She knew? Noelle felt her cheeks flame, but she straightened her shoulders anyway. This was her life. “I’m an adult…”
Lila put a hand on her head, smoothing her hair back. “Nope. No need to fight that fight with me. I meant what I said. You are smart and funny and beautiful, and you deserve everything you’re brave enough to go after. I don’t understand the whole submissive thing. I’m not wired that way, but if you are then there is no place I would trust more than Sanctum. After all, it’s where my sisters and my brother found their loves. But do not tell your father. Not now. Maybe in ten years or so.”
Maybe never. “Sorry I didn’t talk to you about it.”
Lila shook her head. “You talked to the best person you possibly could have, and when you get there, don’t hesitate to talk to Laurel, too. I love you. I know we don’t share blood and that you still miss your mom, but you’re my daughter, too. I want the world for you. You are strong and smart. If this Hutch guy is hot and seems like he’d be good for you, go for it. Even if it’s only for a little while. Sex is good for you if you make smart choices about it. Never tell your father I said that.”
She got to her feet and hugged her stepmom. Her mother had died so many years ago, but this woman had eased the blow. Lila had been everything she could have wanted in a mom, and she was grateful to be part of her family. “Thank you.”
“Be safe out there.” Her stepmom hugged her tight and then let go as something whizzed by her head. “I’m never going to survive those boys.”
Noelle leaned over and grabbed the Frisbee. “I’ll handle my brothers for a while if you want to have a glass of wine. That cake has to come out of the oven in about twenty minutes, but I can watch the boys until then.”
“Cake. I’m up for cake,” Lisa said with a grin.
Lila sighed and stepped back. “I’m going to miss you, Noelle. Remember we’re always here for you.”
Her stepmom walked back in the house, and despite the fact that she had some stress at work, she was hopeful for the future.
“That went better than I thought it would,” Lisa said. “I’ll be honest. I figured she would know sooner or later. Lila knows everything. Should Kevin be climbing the shed? God, please be a girl.”
“Kevin! Get down from there.” She picked up her cane and started for the stairs because her brother was trying to kill himself. Her stepmom’s dog Peanut was whining as though he knew disaster was about to happen but couldn’t figure out how to fix the problem.
Jason ran by her, grinning. “Throw it to me, Noelle. Throw it to me.”
“I know Hutch,” Lisa was saying behind her. “He’s actually pretty cute, and I’ve heard he’s good in bed.”
Oh, that did not matter. She tossed him the Frisbee while she started to drag her other brother out of harm’s way.
She kind of hoped Lisa had a girl, too.
And it didn’t matter if Hutch was cute because she wasn’t about to get caught in a trap. No way. No how.
* * * *
Dallas, TX
Greg Hutchins watched as his friends started to shuffle toward the door of Michael Malone’s gorgeous high-rise condo that overlooked Victory Park. It was a far cry from the home Hutch had recently purchased, but in many ways he preferred his three-bedroom ranch in Chapel Downs. He never thought he would live in what was basically the suburbs, but when he’d gotten the chance to buy it from a friend, he’d taken it.
He’d moved in the month before, and the whole place pretty much consisted of a massive TV, a couple of gaming chairs, a folding table in the “dining” room, and his bed. He hadn’t counted on how empty the place would feel.
Which was precisely why he’d been happy to get the invite from Michael to come to his place and watch an afternoon of college football. It had been good to hang with the guys instead of spending the entire weekend on his computer.
But now the game was over, and tonight was a play night at Sanctum. Most of his friends played on Saturday nights. He hadn’t been in a few months. The club had lost something for him.
Like the rest of his life had lost… He wasn’t sure what word he was thinking of. Spark? Adventure? Shine?
All he knew was that lately he’d felt like he was doing nothing more than going through the motions. Go to work. Go home. Eat dinner alone and sit in front of a screen of some kind. Wake up and do it all over again.
He felt a bit empty, and that wasn’t what he’d expected since he knew what real tragedy was. He had most of what he needed in life, so why was there a hole in his soul?
“Are you not coming out tonight?” Theo Taggart asked, his keys in hand. “Case is in town, and he and Mia are letting the girls watch Heath. Although do not mention that to him. He thinks it’s a hangout with his cousins. He doesn’t know Tasha is getting paid. He’s sensitive about the word babysitter. I’m not mentioning it to my eleven-year-old either.”
Case and Theo Taggart were the youngest of the Taggart brothers. Fraternal twins, Case was a few minutes older than his brother. They were both solid guys. Hutch had worked with the brothers for years.
“Tasha’s in charge of everyone?” Tag’s oldest kid was very responsible, but there were a lot of kids in that family, and they were not known for their calmness. Tag alone had four besides Tash.
“Carys is there, too. Kenzie will be solid, and Kala will sit in her room and play on the computer.” Theo frowned. “I hope that’s what she’s doing. I worry she’s setting herself up for world domination or something. She spends way too much time with her Aunt Chelsea. Come with us. It’ll be a blast. Case is only here for a week or two and then he’s back in New York for the rest of the year. 4L is rolling out something big, and he’s in charge of security around it.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to hang with Case. It was that being in Sanctum reminded him how fucking dull his life had become. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but somehow the things that used to hold meaning for him had faded. Somehow turning thirty had been a tipping point, and now playing video games all night with strangers across the globe no longer held appeal.
Which was precisely why he should go to the club, find a pretty sub, and pass a nice night.
Yeah, that had lost its appeal, too.
“Maybe I will come,” he hedged because he didn’t want Theo to think he was dodging Case.
Theo looked like he wasn’t completely buying the words, but he nodded. “I hope to see you there. Michael, thanks for the hospitality. It was fun to spend an afternoon with the guys.”
Because Theo rarely did it anymore. He usually spent his Saturdays at his daughter’s soccer games or doing things with his son. He was a family man, and it was obvious that made him happy.
Michael Malone stood in his entryway and nodded. There was a smile on his face, but it couldn’t hide the grimness in his eyes.
It hadn’t been that long since Michael had called off his long-planned wedding, and there were still touches of his fiancée all over the condo.
The door closed behind Theo and he was left alone with Michael. They’d been friends for years. Over a decade. Hutch had been the tech expert on the CIA team Michael and the other guys worked for back in the day. Most of that same team now worked at McKay-Taggart, though they all found themselves at different places in life. Theo and Case had been married for years. Some of the other guys were in seemingly happy relationships. Some were single and mingling.
Hutch felt stuck, and he wondered if that
wasn’t how Michael felt, too.
“You going to Sanctum tonight?” Michael had been a regular when he’d been with his fiancée. Hutch still wasn’t sure what had happened between the two, but Michael hadn’t dated since the breakup.
Michael’s mouth turned down in a frown. “I should, but I think I’m going to stay here and watch the late game. You’re welcome to join me. I’ve noticed you haven’t been going regularly.”
Hanging out with Michael might be a better way to spend his evening. At least he wouldn’t watch the scenes and the couples and try to figure out why he felt restless. After he’d broken up with Katy, he’d spent a lot of time at the club, but no time connecting with anyone. “It doesn’t feel the same lately. It’s weird. I can’t seem to find my focus. I haven’t found a scene partner I click with in a long time.”
He’d only had a couple of women he’d viewed as anything beyond transitory partners. There were subs he would scene with when they needed a top, but none of them had been “his.” His one foray into the vanilla dating world had been a spectacular disaster that led him to almost a year of celibacy, and he couldn’t seem to get back into a routine.
“Give yourself some time. I know that breakup was hard on you,” Michael said.
That was part of the problem. “It really wasn’t. It was a relief.”
Michael crossed to the bar and pulled out the good Scotch. “How so?”
“I didn’t start dating Katy for the right reasons.” He’d worked through all of this, but he wondered if Michael might be the one who needed to talk. “I did it because she made sense, and it felt like it was time to settle down. I kind of floated through it, you know. When I found out she was cheating on me, I wasn’t even mad. She brought her new boyfriend to pick up her stuff from my place and I sat down and played a couple of rounds of Halo 7 with him.”
Michael whistled. “You were not invested in that relationship.”
He shrugged because he knew he’d been guilty, too. He’d made mistakes. “We weren’t truly compatible, and I never felt a spark with her. But then I’ve never felt a spark with anyone, so I have to wonder if I’m just not that guy.”
