Lori Foster (27 page)

“Fictitious plates are,” Rowdy pointed out.

“Sure, but how do we unravel that mess without throwing some serious resources behind it? Without good reason, the lieutenant would never go for it.”

Rowdy crossed his arms. “If it is Fisher—”

“I can have a talk with him.” Logan’s smile was mean with anticipation. “Not a problem.”

Avery had no idea what the right move might be, but she hated being the source of so much trouble. “If we just stay away from him...”

“He has Meyer’s approval, honey.” Rowdy rubbed her shoulder. “What if he’s there every time you try to visit with your mother? Maybe even with her blessing.”

“I’ll talk to Mom and make her understand.”

“Yeah, you can try that,” Rowdy agreed. “But in the meantime, I’m going to talk to Fisher about the car.”

The way he watched her, it was like he willed her to trust him. And she did. Avery knew, despite his rep, Rowdy didn’t go around mangling innocent people or doling out lethal retribution if there was another way.

Unlike Fisher, he wasn’t a bully.

He definitely wasn’t a murderer.

Rowdy Yates was a defender, and more honorable than any man she knew. “Okay.”

“Hold up,” Logan said. “How and where do you plan to talk to him?”

“That depends on his schedule,” Rowdy said. “And I’m hoping Avery can help me with that.”

Avery’s stomach bottomed out. “I haven’t seen him in a year!” She detested the note of desperation in her tone. “You know that, Rowdy.”

“I do, but some things never change. Fish strikes me as a man of habit.”

A man of habit? He was a certifiable cretin! “I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

As if she hadn’t said that, Rowdy continued, “You can find out for me if he has a routine. He obviously hits up the gym on a regular basis.”

Logan nodded. “You could meet him in a public place.”

“Exactly. If he’s as worried about appearances as Avery says, he won’t want to cause a scene.”

She shook her head, but neither man appeared to notice. “Why don’t you just call him?”

“I want to look him in the eyes when I ask about the car.”

Her heart pounded so hard it almost stole her breath. “He
lies.
”

“He won’t be able to lie to me.” He brushed a knuckle over her cheek. “Either way, he’ll know we’re on to him.”

“That could cause him to back off,” Logan agreed. “Or it could push him over the edge and make him do something stupid.”

Knowing Rowdy had made up his mind, Avery clutched his hand. “I’m going with you.”

He gave a short laugh. “No, you’re not.”

How dare he dismiss her like that? Slowly, she straightened away from him. “If it’s safe,
public
like you said, then what difference does it make if I’m there?”

“I don’t want you near him.”

“Ha!” She put a finger to his chest. “I don’t want
you
near him, either.”

Behind them, Logan cleared his throat.

Countenance darkening, Rowdy pushed away from the desk. “I’m not you, babe.”

“There’s a news flash,” she said with a healthy dose of sarcasm. “But here’s another—this is my problem, not yours.”

“I’m making it mine.”

“You want to help, Rowdy? Great. I’m grateful.”

He looked like she’d slapped him.
“I don’t want your fucking gratitude.”

No, he just wanted to put himself at risk, always, for everyone. But she was determined that at least with her, things would be different. “Tough! You have it anyway.”

Logan said, “Maybe I should—”

Avery twisted a hand in the front of Rowdy’s T-shirt. “I told you I love you. Do you have any idea what that means?”

A long whistle sounded from Logan.

Rowdy puffed up like an enraged bull. “It sure as hell doesn’t mean you get to dictate to me.”

That almost made her laugh. “Like I would even try? I’m not stupid.” She went on tiptoes. “It means that I would be destroyed if anything happened to you, especially when you were acting on my behalf.”

Rowdy breathed a little harder.

“Do you
want
me destroyed?”

“You’re pushing it, honey.” He closed a hand over her wrist, but didn’t pull her fist from his shirt.

“No, of course you don’t.” Avery softened, but just a little. This was too important to water down. “You want to protect me because that’s who you are. And I love you for that and for so many other reasons. But if it’s truly not dangerous, then let me go with you. It is my problem, whether you like it or not. I have a right to be there.”

With tension arcing between them, they stared at each other, neither willing to relent.

Into the quiet, Logan said, “She’s right, you know.”

Rowdy’s right eye twitched. “Fuck you, Logan.”

“It’d probably be a good idea to take her along—as a witness, as a reminder to keep your cool. And for Fisher to see that she’s not cowed by what’s happened.”

Rowdy said nothing.

“If she’s with you, Fisher will be less likely to get out of hand, and you’re less likely to threaten him.”

“I don’t make threats.”

No, Avery thought, Rowdy made promises—that he kept. “You could come with me when I visit my mom again.” She searched his face, praying that he’d understand. “I can set it up as soon as you need me to. If Fisher is there, we’ll both talk to him. And if he’s not, we can find out his schedule from my mom or Meyer.”

“It’s that important to you?”

“
You
are that important to me.” She’d confront Fisher once and for all. She’d let him know that she wasn’t the same easily intimidated person.

If he came after her again, he’d have a major fight on his hands, one that she’d pursue with every resource left to her.

Rowdy took his time thinking about it, mulling it over until she was ready to clout him.

Finally he nodded. “All right.”

His agreement made her smile and left her limp. “Great.”

“Set it up, the sooner the better.” Half under his breath, he muttered, “I want this over and done with.”

“Glad that’s settled.” After checking his watch, Logan sat forward. “If anything else happens, anything at all, let me know. In the meantime, I’d suggest you take extra precautions.”

Rowdy walked to the door. “She’s staying with me.”

“Tonight?” Logan asked.

“Indefinitely.”

Though Logan quickly recovered, Avery saw his surprise. “I know,” she said, deadpan. “I’m still shocked, too.”

Rowdy didn’t find either of them funny. “I’ll go to her place to get whatever she needs, but she won’t be back there alone.”

Logan looked back and forth between them again. “I’m sure that’s for the best, at least until we get things figured out.” He joined Rowdy by the door. “You need to be careful, too.”

“He will be,” Avery promised. One way or another, she’d see to it.

With a half smile, Rowdy told Logan, “After we see Fisher, I’ll let you know if we find out anything worth repeating.”

“Appreciate it.”

Avery held out a hand. “Logan, really, thank you so much for coming over.”

He ignored her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “Anytime at all, okay?”

They were about to leave the office when Cannon showed up. “Sorry to interrupt, but you said you wanted to know.” He tried unsuccessfully to moderate a big grin. “A group of guys just came in—firefighters fresh from their shift. Nothing threatening, I don’t think, but they’re asking for Avery.”

Well, shoot. Avery started out of the room. “I’ll get to it.”

Rowdy pulled her back, anchored her to his side and together, followed by Cannon and Logan’s amusement, they entered the crowded front of the bar.

Rowdy even made a point of lifting her chin and kissing her with more heat than necessary. Flustered, Avery scolded him, but that just got her another kiss before, far too grim, he got to work.

If he’d wanted to make things clear, well, that sure did it. Her lips continued to tingle, and her heart soared.

Rowdy might not have said the words, but his actions were clear enough—for all to see.

There were no more calls or idling cars hanging around, and the rest of the night went by without incident—until ten o’clock, when a sexy brunette came in and set her sights on Rowdy.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

F
OR
A
M
ONDAY
night, they were busier than usual. Rowdy did his best to keep an eye on Avery. Seemed every damned guy in the place found a reason to chat her up.

He’d known she was popular, an integral part of the bar’s success. But he hadn’t before realized how often she got hit on. He couldn’t deny a touch of jealousy. But he also felt pride.

Because Avery didn’t reciprocate.

She was friendly and funny and always professional. She served up drinks and laughs and the occasional advice, all without taking any guy too seriously.

Her smiles were kind, not a come-on.

Without trying too hard, mostly just by being herself, she drew attention. The way she tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. How she twisted that supple little body from the ice chest to the tap to the bar top.

She was fanatical about keeping things clean and tidy, and she organized like a librarian.

Better still, when danger came calling, she utilized a wealth of common sense.

All in all, there wasn’t a single thing about Avery not to love. From the start, he hadn’t stood a chance against her.

He was lost in thought, staring at Avery and trying to decide what his next move should be, when he saw her glance toward the door.

He followed her gaze—and got caught.

Well, hell, the night needed only this.

Unable to help himself, Rowdy looked over the lady. She wore skintight black jeans with heels and a V-neck sweater that exposed a notable rack.

Reese and Logan might like to deny that their lieutenant was a woman, but no other man seeing her now would make that mistake—and plenty of men were looking.

Why the hell was she here?

Only one other time had Rowdy seen her dressed in anything other than her business suits or uniform, and that was during a sting where she’d been undercover.

A ballbuster of the first order, Lieutenant Peterson liked her stiff, mannish attire. Probably because it kept guys like Reese and Logan in line. It hadn’t really worked on him.

Or on Dash, Logan’s brother.

Lieutenant Peterson scanned the crowd, and Rowdy had a horrible suspicion she was looking for him.

“Shit.” He hadn’t figured Peterson as the type of woman who liked to walk on the wild side, but there’d be no other reason for her to show up in his bar dressed like that and looking for him.

One glance at Avery and Rowdy knew this night wouldn’t end well unless he took some precautionary measures right now.

Turning his back to the lieutenant, Rowdy strode away to his office. Dropping into the chair behind his desk, he flipped through the contacts on his phone, located the number he wanted and hit the call button.

What was Lieutenant Margaret Peterson doing here this time of night on a Monday?
The phone rang five times before Dashiel Riske picked up. “I’m listening.”

“Did I wake you?”

“Rowdy?” Around a loud yawn, Dash said, “What’s up, man? Everything okay?”

Might as well lay it out there. “I know it might be inconvenient, but you need to come to the bar.”

“Yeah? How come?”

“Trust me, you’ll thank me.”

“Meaning you have naked ladies dancing on the tables or something? Because seriously, I was about to turn in.”

Logan might be in denial about Dash’s attraction to the lieutenant, but Rowdy had no such qualms. “One lady, and no, she’s not naked—though she does look pretty fine in tight jeans and a low-cut sweater.”

“I’m listening.”

Rowdy was about to explain further when a knock sounded on his open door. “Hang on, Dash.” He covered the phone and said, “What is it?”

Ella leaned in. “Avery wants you up front. She says you have a visitor.”

Damn it, had Peterson already approached Avery to ask for him? She’d been through enough today without the additional hassle. “Tell her I’ll be right there.” When he returned to the call, he said to Dash, “You coming or not?”

“You have me curious, so sure. I’ll see you in a few.”

Luckily Dash wasn’t more than fifteen minutes away. That is, if he headed right out. Working at his own construction company, Logan’s younger brother rose with the birds. He occasionally hung out at the bar, but only on weekends.

Rowdy found Avery engaged in conversation with Margaret as she poured her a glass of wine. Though her smile looked a little tight, Avery was her usual pleasant self.

The lieutenant had her shapely little ass perched on a bar stool, legs crossed, elbows on the bar. Silver hoops dangled from her ears, reflecting the ambient light. More makeup than usual turned her smoky blue eyes mysterious. As she turned toward him, Rowdy saw a nice display of cleavage. Yeah, Dash would definitely thank him.

Stopping beside her, Rowdy said, “Lieute—”

“Shhh.” Leaning toward him, she touched a fingertip to his bottom lip. In a husky whisper, her eyes gazing into his, she said, “Not tonight. Tonight I’m just Margaret.”

Oh, hell. “Sure thing.” He took the stool next to her. “So, Margaret, you’ve been drinking already?”

“Not much.” Smiling, she let her gaze travel all over him. “How’ve you been, Rowdy?”

“Getting by.” He leaned a forearm on the bar and smiled at Avery. “You met Margaret?”

“I served her.”

So during their little chitchat, the lieutenant hadn’t introduced herself? “Margaret Peterson, this is Avery Mullins. Avery, Margaret is the—”

“Rowdy.” The lieutenant slid off the stool and up against him, her gaze smoldering. “Could we talk privately?”

Rowdy tried leaning back, but Margaret just followed. “Uh...”

Abandoning him, Avery said, “Excuse me” in clipped tones as she moved down the bar away from them.

The lieutenant’s thighs were against his, her breasts almost touching his chest. She stared up at him with some silent message that Rowdy didn’t want to read.

Her tongue came out to dampen her lips, and she whispered, “Say yes, damn you,” with a smile that contradicted the words.

Hurry up, Dash.

“All right.” No way in hell would Rowdy take her to his office. He just knew what Avery would think if he did. “Let’s go to a booth.” Rowdy picked up her wine, then took her arm and started her toward the back near the billiard room.

“Thank you.”

There was no real privacy on the floor, not for anything...intimate. But in the booth, with the clatter of pool balls behind them and the jukebox in front of them, they could talk a little more freely without anyone hearing.

Rowdy seated her first, and then slid into the booth across from her. Peterson had her back to the room, but he could see everything—which was the point.

She leaned over the booth toward him, and being male, his gaze just naturally went to her boobs.

“Rowdy?”

“Hmm?” He got his attention up to her face—and saw a wealth of attitude before she masked it. Suspicion prickled.

She stared into his eyes. “I’m hoping you’ll agree to do me a big favor.”

Hopefully the favor had nothing to do with getting naked or horizontal. “If I can.”

“It’s...personal.”

The way she said that made him uneasy. Damn, but he hated games like this.

Luckily, he saw Dash come through the front door. He must have rushed to make it so quickly.

“Hold that thought. Let me take care of something and I’ll be right back.” Ella started past, and Rowdy caught her to say, “Her drinks are on the house, okay?”

Ella eyed Margaret, scowled at Rowdy and cocked out a shapely hip. “Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”

Great. Now Ella thought he was already stepping out on Avery. A week ago he wouldn’t have cared, but in the past week with Avery...yeah, it had started to matter.

A lot.

“She’s a friend,” Rowdy said, but damn it, he felt like an ass for explaining himself. “Forget it. Just give her whatever she wants until I return.”

With any luck, Peterson would play her games with Dash and let him off the hook.

Hoping Margaret wouldn’t yet notice Dash—just in case she planned to be stubborn about things—Rowdy made his way across the crowded floor to meet him. One way or another, he would excuse himself from her attentions.

He had something solid going with Avery, and he wouldn’t let an uptight, prickly, pain-in-the-ass cop ruin it for him.

* * *

P
LENTY
OF
WOMEN
noticed Dash when he came in. Rowdy supposed it was the prospect of fresh blood to the weekday crowd. Most of them had never seen Dash before.

After meeting under shitty circumstances—with serious threats against Pepper—he and Dash had hit it off. Dash was only a year older, and they shared a near-identical height of six feet four inches. But where Rowdy saw the worst in most everyone and everything, Dash saw the best.

He was a funny guy, much more so than his brother Logan. Of course, Rowdy’s opinion on that might be biased by the fact Logan was a cop and married to Pepper.

Like Logan, Dash was well-off, gifted with financial security from their parents. Rowdy respected the fact that Dash still worked damn hard at his construction company.

The physical labor showed, evidenced by all the female attention Dash got as he stripped off his coat.

And thinking about how the ladies were all drooling over him—Rowdy twisted around to look at Avery.

She was watching him.

Him,
not Dash. Not any other man.

That fact filled Rowdy with incredible satisfaction.

Bringing him back to the here and now, Dash clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re this busy on a Monday night? Nice.” He gazed around. “The setup is different.”

“We’ve made a few changes. Got rid of the poles, put in a billiards room.”

“It’s looking good. More upstanding.”

“That’s the point.”

Smiling, Dash eyed a tableful of women. “I bet the weekends are insane.”

“We do all right. We’re not open on Sunday, but I have a new employee who’s working out, so that might be changing, too.” Cannon could fill in when Rowdy was away. He’d need to hire a few more people, especially someone to help Jones in the kitchen. But he’d figure it out.

“I can see it now,” Dash said. “Folks will hit up church first, then plan on Getting Rowdy.”

He never should have let Avery name the place. “The rowdiest crowd waits for the weekend. The weekday regulars aren’t too bad.”

“Obviously I’ve been away too long.” He nodded to two women flirting with him. “Sorry about that. Overload of work lately.”

“You have a life.” And he wasn’t obligated to visit the bar.

“So you haven’t missed me, huh?”

Rowdy checked his watch. “I would have figured you’d lose some of your good humor after ten.”

Dash grinned at him. “Okay, so let’s hear it. What’s my surprise?”

“More like a problem. A
woman
problem.”

Dash looked first at Avery behind the bar, and then, somehow, despite the crowd, his gaze shot straight to where Lieutenant Margaret Peterson sat.

He didn’t look away. “More than one, from the looks of it.”

“Yeah, well, she was getting clingy.” Rowdy rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t in the habit of fobbing women off on other men and he felt a little awkward. “I know it’s late for you, but do you think you can do me a solid and take her off my hands?”

“Sure,” Dash said without hesitation, but then added, “Which one are we talking about?”

What the... Dash would have made a move on Avery? Rowdy thought about flattening him. “Peterson.”

While still staring toward the lieutenant, Dash smiled. “Oh, yeah, I can handle that.”

As if she felt the way Dash stared at her, Margaret twisted in her seat to search the room.

She zeroed in on Dash.

For an uncomfortably long time, they locked gazes. Rowdy shouldered Dash hard. “Quit eye fucking her already. It’s embarrassing.”

Suddenly Margaret jerked away, giving them her back. She was always rigid, but never more so than now with the current set of her shoulders and the steel in her spine.

Undisturbed by Rowdy’s crude comment, Dash whispered to himself, “Surprise, sweetheart.”

Rowdy witnessed Dash’s satisfaction with a shake of his head. “Hate to break it to you, but she looks pissed.”

“She’s fighting herself.” Dash slowly inhaled. “And she’s losing.”

Sure, the lieutenant was a looker, but still a lieutenant. Rowdy didn’t quite understand Dash’s fascination with her, but to each his own.

Suddenly Margaret stood, snatched up her purse and headed back toward the pool tables. Rowdy expected Dash to go after her.

He didn’t.

“Think I’ll let her stew a minute or two. She’s less guarded and more entertaining when she’s riled.” Dash started for the bar. “Why don’t you get me a drink? It’s the least you can do for dragging me out tonight.”

Bullshit. With the way the two of them had shot sparks off each other, Rowdy was starting to think Dash owed him for the favor.

At least now he could reassure Avery; she had no reason at all to be jealous of the lieutenant’s attention, not with the way she’d reacted to Dash.

They’d just paused by the bar and Rowdy was waiting for Avery to finish serving a customer, when from behind them, a female customer said, “Hey, sexy,” and they both turned.

A tableful of ladies issued a lusty invite to join them.

Dash looked interested; Rowdy was not.

When he turned back to Avery, she started snickering and couldn’t stop.

Glad she wasn’t stewing, Rowdy asked, “What?”

That only ramped up her hilarity until she was laughing outright.

Folding his arms over the bar, Rowdy waited. “Are you going hysterical on me?”

“You both looked!” She covered her mouth, trying to muffle her humor. “Both of you!”

Leaving Dash to deal with the ladies, Rowdy circled the bar. As long as Dash didn’t forget about Peterson, he could do whatever he pleased.

When he got close, Avery fought her humor long enough to say, “Hey, sexy.”

“Smart-ass.” He caught her hips and pulled her in close to kiss her. It was a tickling kiss at first because of her giggles, but as he kept at it, she mellowed and heated and soon he had her in a full-blown mating of the mouths.