Causing Havoc (17 page)

—al of it rock-solid, rippling muscle. A variety of tattoos twined around colossal biceps, disappearing

into the sleeves of his shirt.

Thickened ears and a few faded scars along the side of his face in no way detracted from his looks.

But his size and outward appearance alone didn't dominate the room.

His booming voice helped.

As did the jovial confidence he reeked.

Along with a quiet determination that had men quickly removing themselves from even his peripheral

vision.

Fascinated, Jacki final y got her feet unglued and eased up behind him. The application hung limply

in her hand, al but forgotten.

The object of her attention rested his forearms on the top of the bar and stared at Dickey Webster,

the night manager and bartender. "I'm looking for Havoc."

Though the thick walnut bar separated them, Dickey took a step back, frowned, and shook his head.

"We don't want any trouble here."

The giant grinned. "I don't want trouble, either, my man, so relax. Havoc is a ... friend."

Dickey didn't look the least bit relieved. "I don't know anyone by that name."

Jacki did. Her heartbeat picked up pace.

"Ah wel ," said Goliath, "whether you heard his name or not, if you saw him you'd know it. And I have it on good authority that he was heading this way. Knowing Havoc as I do, a bar would have been his

first stop."

Huh, Jacki thought. Perhaps he didn't know Dean as wel as he thought. While the bartender

muttered a quick reply, Jacki glanced at her watch, saw that midnight had long since come and gone,

and she shrugged.

This was too interesting not to share.

She pul ed out her cel phone and dialed Eve.

After six rings, Eve picked up. Her voice was huskier than usual, a little breathless. "Hel o?"

Jacki raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Hey Eve, it's Jacki."

"Jacki?"

Almost laughing, Jacki said, "Yeah, Cam's sister."

"I know who you are." The phone was muffled, she heard some shuffling and muted whispering, and

then Eve said, "It's real y late, Jacki."

"I know."

"Is something wrong? What is it?"

"Nothing's wrong." Jacki strove for a quizzical tone. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No! No, not at al ." More quick shuffling and low whispers. "So ... uh, what's up?"

Now Jacki did laugh. "Wel , I was going to ask if you had Dean's number because I need to talk to

him. But seeing as he's right there with you—"

Eve groaned and a second later Dean took the phone. "What is it?"

Wel , wel , wel . Apparently, big brothers didn't like interruptions. "Hey bro. You don't have to bite my head off."

She heard a long annoyed sigh, then: "I'm not." And in a more even voice, he repeated, "What's going on, Jacki?"

"You know, I'd say nothing and let ya get back to it, real y I would."

"Jacki..."

Eve's laughter sounded in the background.

"But you see, there's a guy here asking for you. And I sort of thought you should know about him."

More alert, Dean asked, "A guy
where?
"

Oh yeah. "I'm in the Roadkil bar."

Two seconds of silence passed. "You're kidding."

The bar's name often got that reaction. "Nope. It's a little local place, only about fifteen minutes from my house." She winced. 'That is, I mean our house."

He let out a long breath, but didn't debate the point. "Partying again?"

In sugary tones, Jacki replied, "Not that it'd matter to you, right?"

His annoyance practical y vibrated through the receiver. "Who's asking for me?"

"I don't know, but he's a big sucker. Bigger than you even. And he asked for Havoc, not Dean. He"s got shaggy black hair, a mild case of cauliflower ear, some mean tattoos, a few scars—"

"Who's he asking?"

Obviously Dean recognized the description. "Wel , it was just the night manager, who's also the

bartender, but he didn't know anything. I take it you haven't been in here yet?"

"Eve told me the only bar in town was Roger's idiotic Rodeo Bar."

Jacki chuckled. It didn't surprise her that Dean had the same impression of Roger's joint that she

had. "Yeah, wel , this isn't exactly the kind of place Eve would visit or remember."

"Yet you're there."

Cutting right past that, Jacki got to the point of her cal . "So anyway, right now your friend is making his way around the room. And I don't mind tel ing you, he's spooking everyone. Some people are

picking up and leaving as fast as they can."

Another long sigh. "Let me talk to him."

Holding the phone away, Jacki stared at it in disbelief. Dean had to be joking. She brought it back to

her ear. "You want me to go to him, then give him my phone?"

"He'l give it back, brat. Don't worry. Just tel him I'm on the line."

Somehow, the way Dean said "brat," made it sound like an affectionate nickname instead of an

insult. Glancing up, Jacki caught sight of the big man and, strangely enough, anticipation squirreled

through her.

A reason to approach him. To talk to him.

To make him notice her.

"Yeah, okay, I can do that." Real y. She could. "Hang on a second."

Summoning up a core of bravado, Jacki sauntered over, tapped the giant on his ... wel , not quite his

shoulder, because his shoulder was way up there. She considered herself tal , but her fingertips

landed on his shoulder blade.

Startled, he flashed only a brief glance toward her. Then his shoulders straightened and, slowly, he

turned back again to give her a more thorough perusal.

His bold scrutiny made Jacki feel buck-naked.

His smile made her heart jump.

His manner both alert and carnal, he took one step closer and stared down at her with chocolate

brown eyes. "Hel o darlin'."

On the outside, Jacki smirked at the slick show of interest.

But on the inside, everything fluttered and heated. He had the darkest eyes she'd ever seen, heavily

fringed by girlish lashes.

And he had a deep honeyed voice and a way of speaking that...

Get a grip, Jacki,
She struck a comfortable, slouching pose, one hip jutting out, limbs relaxed. "You want to talk to Havoc?"

Clutching his heart, he made a ridiculous face of torment. "Ah, now honey, please don't tel me that

son of a bitch claimed ya first?" He snatched up her hand, carried it to his mouth, and pressed a

damp, warm,
very provocative smooch
to her palm.

Jacki stood there like a frozen lump of female awareness.

A smile made his dark eyes twinkle. "I can promise ya I'm better." Voice going even deeper, he said.

"In al ways."

The phone almost dropped out of Jacki's free hand. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. Then

she felt his thumb stroking the heart of her palm, and she yanked her fingers away. "It's not like that."

"No?"

"No."

"Wel thank you, God. I can't tel you how happy I am to hear it." He nodded toward the phone. "'S

Havoc on there?"

"Yeah."

"Al righty then, business comes first. But once it's out of the way, you and I need to become much

better acquainted."

Appal ed at her lack of wit and retort, Jacki shoved the phone toward him. "Here. Take your time."

Needing some space, Jacki started to turn away, but then she heard him say into the phone, "Gawd

almighty, Havoc. The cutest little wet dream just strutted up to me and— what's that?" His voice

lowered to a growl. "You're bul shitting me, you bastard. You don't have a sister."

Jacki turned to look at him, but he didn't notice.

He paused, and with his voice raised again, he blurted, "
Two?
No fucking way."

Jacki grinned.

A sour expression crossed his face, and he winced at whatever Dean said.

Running a hand roughly through his already tousled hair, he barked, "How the hel could you have

sisters and no one know about it?"

Deciding she didn't want to give him any privacy after al , Jacki strol ed back and leaned against the

wal beside him. When he glanced at her, she smiled.

His gaze automatical y started to drift down over her, then he caught himself and snapped it back up

to her face. Appearing chagrined, he scowled and propped a fist on his hip.

Whatever Dean said to him, the giant listened intently. "Right. Hang on." He turned to Jacki again.

This time he went ahead and quickly looked her over before pinning her in place with a mesmerizing

stare. "I don't suppose you got a pen and paper on ya, do you, darlin?"

"For what?"

"I need to write down Havoc's address."

She waggled her fingers for the phone, the big guy handed it back to her, and Jacki asked,

"Where're you staying, Dean? Yeah, I know where that is. I can give him directions."

Dean said, "Good. You do that. And then why don't you think about heading home instead of hanging

out there any longer?"

Lip curling, she taunted, "What's the matter, bro? Worried about me?"

"Not even a little. But with Gregor there—"

"Gregor? That's his name?" Jacki looked up—and got snared in that piercing dark gaze again. She

swal owed. "He doesn't look like a Gregor."

Without releasing her from the invisible snare, the giant tipped an imaginary hat. "Gregor
'The

Maniac'
Marsh. At your service, sugar."

Maniac? "I take it you're a fighter, too?"

He said, "The best."

Dean snorted. "Whatever he tel s you, Jacki, don't believe him."

Jacki nodded. "Right. He's a liar. Got it."

Gregor roared with laughter.

"So," Dean said, "wil you be heading home now or not?"

"Actual y, I wil , as soon as I can find a ride." Now that she had a job taken care of, there were other priorities at home. Like a leaking roof. And probably a clogged pool pump. And—

"What do you mean, find a ride?"

Suspicion dripped from Dean's lone, prompting her to explain. "No car, remember? But the bar is

packed so I'm sure there's someone here I know."

Much aggrieved, Dean let out a long breath. "Everyone there is drinking."

"I'm not drinking." She started to add that she seldom drank, despite what he might think, but she got sidetracked when Gregor held out his gargantuan arms, offering himself like a sacrifice.

"I haven't had a drop, either, love. Tel your damned brother that I'l see you get home."

Dean must have heard him, because he said,
"No,"
a little too loudly and way too fast.

Keeping the phone at her ear. Jacki looked at Gregor. The name grew on her. So he was a hulk.

And a fighter. And far too chauvinistic, with his corny endearments.

Overal , he seemed harmless enough. Going through al the considerations, she said to Dean, "Why

not?"

"Yeah," Gregor seconded, "why not?"

The sound of grinding teeth came through the phone. "Jacki, for God's sake, you don't even know

him."

"But you do," she reminded him.

Gregor chuckled. "And therein lays the rub."

"Shit." Another long sigh, a hesitation fraught with ripe frustration, and final y Dean said, "Stay put, brat. I'm coming to get you myself."

Jaeki's mouth dropped open. Dean had to be kidding. It was late. He was with Eve. He had

absolutely no obligation toward her at al . "But.. . that's crazy."

"I'l be there in a few minutes."

"Dean, wait. If I can't find a ride, then there's a bus stop only two blocks away—"

"Do
not
move," Dean demanded. "I mean it."

Her temper flaring, Jacki said, "Now wait one damn—"

And Dean hung up on her, just like ... a very serious and overprotective big brother.

Huh. Imagine that.

Jacki wasn't sure if she liked Dean's attitude or resented it. For sure, it'd take a little getting used to.

She closed the phone and slid it into her pocket.

Pretending to pray, Gregor asked, "So, what's the verdict, darlin'?"

"Sorry." She lifted her shoulders. "Dean's coming to get me himself."

Crestfal en, he muttered, "That rotten s.o.b."

He gave the insult so dramatical y, Jacki couldn't help but laugh. "Look at it this way. It'l take him twenty minutes to get here."

Gregor's expression brightened. "And that'l give us twenty minutes to get familiar with one another."

Flashing another sexy, confident grin, he said, "I see a nice private booth there in the back."

Jacki shook her head. "No way. Besides, I have to turn in my application."

"Application for what?"

"Work." As she started away, she explained, "Two women just quit on them, and they're desperate.

The night manager already said I qualify, so I'm hoping he'l hire me on the spot."

"To start
tonight?"

She wished. But obviously the big guy didn't feel the same. Was he real y that anxious to spend

some time with her? She hoped so. It had been a long time since any guy had intrigued her this much.

"He said I'd start the fol owing Monday."

"So you only have to hand in the paper?"

"That's right." She glanced back at him—and caught him staring at her tush. Since her behind

boasted the only female curves she had, Jacki didn't mind so much. But if he decided to start eyeing

her nonexistent chest, they'd be in trouble.

She paused, their gazes met, and new heat burned in his eyes.

His smile came easily. "And when that's done?"

"We can sit up front, where there are plenty of lights."

She got her feet moving again. "It'l be easier for Dean to spot us that way."

Trailing her, the giant grunted. "Like he could miss me. wherever I sit?"

He had a point. But Jacki wasn't ready to isolate herself with him. And besides, much as she