Chaos (7 page)

“Is he really a loan shark?”

“Of sorts, I’m afraid so. Too bad too, because he’s a very
interesting individual. I’d like to be able to sit down and talk with him
again. And his wife was absolutely charming.”

“I know, I got to speak with her a few minutes. I guess a police
detective can’t really socialize with a loan shark.”

“Not without creating speculation. And even though Jordan is
mostly out of the financial business it wouldn’t look good for him to either.”

“I think Bo was uncomfortable with you.” She turned the page
and pointed to another picture.

“That’s because I busted him a few times before I made
detective. I think he kept expecting me to slap the cuffs on him.”

“What’s the story with these two? I know Frank is Jesse’s
brother and Wyatt is his cousin but why are they so secretive? What all do they
do?”

“All I know is that Wyatt is some sort of inventor. Jesse
and Frank test things for him.”

“What kind of things?”

“I’m not exactly sure but I think it’s high-tech security
stuff.”

“Government stuff?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. If I had to speculate, I’d say yes.
When I did background checks on all of them I only found basic information.
There were huge holes and no way of filling them in. It’s the same if you try
to find anything about high government officials. Jesse and Frank are supposed
to be security specialists and private investigators but I suspect there’s much
more to it than that.”

“Do you think they’re dangerous? Brett seems comfortable
hanging out with Jesse and he doesn’t disappear when you’re around. If they
were involved in something top secret he wouldn’t go sit around in a bar and
socialize with a cop, would he?”

“I have no idea. He said that we’re on the same side and
Jordan trusts him. In fact, when all that happened with Winslow, I know he
trusted them with Kiley’s life. That’s good enough for me so I’m not going to
question it. I figure I’ll learn more when I’m supposed to. Until then, I’m
going to trust my brother and not offend his friends by treating them like
criminals.”

“What do you mean, he trusted them with Kiley’s life?”

“The week when she lost her mind and said she didn’t want to
see him, Jordan had them watching out for her. He wanted to make sure she was
safe and that Winslow didn’t sneak back into town and try to retaliate by
hurting her.”

“I would have thought he’d go after Jordan, not Kiley. After
all, he was the one who ruined all of Winslow’s plans and got him banished from
the area. He was the one who forced Winslow to pay his debts and lose his
source for cash.”

“Jordan wasn’t worried about himself. He wanted her safe,
even if she was breaking his heart at the time. What he doesn’t know is that
Jesse was watching him too.”

“How do you know that?”

“Jesse told me. He showed up next to me on the street one
day and told me not to worry, that he had Jordan covered.”

“Is that when you decided to trust him?”

“Yes. I admit I wish I knew what he really does but I can
accept it now that I don’t. If he and his brother and cousin don’t want
pictures of them shown around then they must have a good reason for it. If one
of them were hurt because they went to his wedding, Jordan would be hurt.
That’s enough for me. Apparently, it’s enough for you too.”

“Absolutely. If Jordan were hurt then Kiley would be hurt. I
won’t do that.”

“Which, Pixie Queen, is precisely the reason why we are
going to be friends, not just pretend to be. They’ll know if we’re pretending
and that would hurt them.”

“I know, McKade. I’m not making any promises because I know
you can’t stop being an asshole all the time but I’ll do my best to ignore it
when you are. Or I will when we’re around them.”

“And when we’re not, I’m sure you’ll go out of your way to
make sure I see the error in my ways. Campini, I’d expect nothing less from
you.” He caught her in a playful kiss. “I’m not asking you to change. I know
you’re opinionated and not at all shy about expressing yourself. Hell, I’d
worry about you if you suddenly stopped finding fault with me.”

“Well this is your lucky day then, since you have so many.”
She kissed him again. “Are there any other pictures you want or are we done
here?”

“I’m done if you are. What’s on your mind?”

“I’m hungry. Let’s go to my place so I can change and then
we can go pick up dinner.”

“Why don’t we stop and grab some steaks and I’ll cook them
for you? You do have a stove. I saw it. I’m assuming it works.”

“Oh ha ha. Don’t be so smug. Of course it works. I just
thought that you might be getting sick of cooking.”

“I like to cook. It’ll be good practice for when I find that
professional woman.”

“Yes, smart ass, the stove works just fine, or it did the
last time I checked and yes, before you ask, I have pans and plates and
silverware. You want to cook, be my guest. But I’m buying the groceries.
Consider it your fee for being my model.”

“I think I liked the other perks that came with that better
but all right, if you insist.”

“Those perks, as you call them, had nothing to do with you
posing for me. By now you must know I enjoy your bod, stud. There was no way I
was going to let such a fine hard-on go to waste.”

“If you play your cards right you might just get to see it
again before the night is over.”

“I’m counting on it.” She gave him a squeeze as she locked
the door behind them. “Any chance I can get you to help me change when we get
home?”

“I’d say that’s a definite possibility, you insatiable
pixie.”

“Hey! That’s Queen Pixie to you.”

“Oh excuse me, my queen.” He gave her a mocking bow. “Will
you give me the opportunity to atone for my slip?”

“Perhaps.” She grinned wickedly as she let her gaze rake him
from head to toe.

“How can I persuade you? I’m already making you a feast. I
could feed you.”

“I can feed myself, thank you. You’ll have to come up with
something better than that.”

“A massage?”

“I’d fall asleep.”

“Can’t have that. Let’s see, I could strip you and keep you
next to me, naked, while I cook.”

“And why would you do that?”

“So I can pleasure you with my tongue when the dinner
doesn’t need my attention. You seem to enjoy that and I do like when you’re
enjoying yourself.”

“And you’ll deny yourself until after dinner?”

“I’ll postpone my actual release but I get great pleasure
from making you come. It’s a rare gift when a woman lets a man watch her do
that.”

“And you do that often?”

“No, not nearly as much as I’d like to. I told you, I don’t
sleep around. Partly because I don’t have time to meet anyone but mostly
because I haven’t met anyone lately that I’ve cared enough about to want to
make this offer to.”

“I can’t decide if you’re serious or just giving me a line
but I don’t think I care at the moment. You’re right, McKade, I do enjoy what
you do with your tongue, immensely in fact. Hurry up and grab some steaks and
let’s get the hell out of here. I’m ready to be appeased.”

“And I’m more than anxious to appease you.” She was standing
next to him at the meat case when she felt his hand under her shirt. His
movements were hidden by the oversized coat of his that she was wearing since
the night before all she’d had on was his tuxedo jacket. “Foreplay,” he
whispered as her tweaked her nipple.

“Isn’t this illegal?” she asked as she leaned into his hand.

“Only if someone else sees us. Don’t worry Pixie Queen. I
have no intention of baring these luscious breasts. They are currently for my
private consumption and I don’t share.”

What was that supposed to mean? Alyssa tried to see his face
but he was back to choosing their dinner. He’d said he wasn’t making a
commitment but wasn’t seeing one person exclusively just that? Maybe he only
meant that he wasn’t into group things, thank goodness. He was probably just
being more careful to keep either of them from being exposed after the way they
went at it in his truck the night before. The combined memory of that event and
Shane’s roaming hand were exciting her beyond belief. Who would ever have
thought that the man who never failed to aggravate her would also never fail to
make her wet? Certainly not her! “McKade, we really need to get out of here.
Now. I’m not kidding.”

“Patience Pixie Queen. Anticipation is good for you. It
heightens the sensations.”

“If my sensations get any more heightened, stud, you’re
going to have to arrest me for coming in public. You want everyone in this
store to share in your gift?”

“Not in this lifetime. Let’s go,” he said, dragging her
toward to checkout.

“Three weeks in a row?” Brett grinned as he slid into a
chair at the table with Shane and Alyssa. “Anything I should know?”

“You already know everything,” Shane told him levelly.
“We’re having some fun.”

“Right, fun.” Brett gave Shane a look that said he thought
it was more than that. “You okay, Shane? You look a little tense. If this is a
private discussion, I can wait for Jesse at the bar.”

“You don’t have to go,” Shane sighed tiredly. “It’s just
been a long week.”

Alyssa looked between them. “Maybe, I should…”

Shane cut her off, knowing she was about to suggest she
leave them alone in case he wanted to talk and would feel more comfortable with
Brett alone. “No. Stay. Please.”

He looked so vulnerable that she reached out and clasped his
hand without thinking. “Okay.”

“Damn. I’m sorry. Just ignore me a little while and I’ll
shake this off.” Shane’s eyes almost pleaded with them.

“Hey,” Jesse joined them, his ready smile fading as he
looked around the table. “Oh no, what happened? Is it Max?”

“No! God, no! I’m just kind of out of it and bringing
everyone else down with me. Jesus, don’t even think that today.” Shane had
thought he couldn’t feel any bleaker than he had earlier.

“Christ, that was stupid of me.” Jesse seemed to understand.
“You can shoot me if it’ll make you feel better.”

Shane met his gaze for an extended moment. Suddenly, he
began to laugh. “Thanks but it’s not quite that bad.” Shane sensed that Jesse
knew exactly what he was feeling. He was extremely grateful that his brother’s
mysterious friend was there.

“Lyssa, I think we missed something.” Brett fought to sound
upbeat.

“Yeah, we’re obviously not part of the Secret Squirrel
Society like these two are.” She copied his tone.

“And you’re truly better off,” Jesse commented. “Still on
duty?” He indicated Shane’s soda.

Shane shrugged. “Maybe.”

“McKade?” Alyssa hadn’t even noticed.

Before he could respond, his cell phone vibrated in his
pocket. “Excuse me.” He stepped away from the table as he answered. “I’m sorry
but I have to go. Will you guys take her home?”

As they agreed, Alyssa grabbed his arm. “Just one second,
McKade. What is going on? You can’t say practically nothing and disappear. And
I don’t need an escort!”

Instead of replying, Shane pulled her against him and gave
her the sweetest kiss. “I know you don’t, Pixie Queen but I’d appreciate it if
you humored me this time. I know you’re perfectly capable of taking care of
absolutely everything on your own at all times but, just this once, I need to
feel as if I actually am protecting you and know, without a doubt, that you’re
safe.”

His words shocked all of them. “You’re wearing your gun.”
Alyssa felt it under his jacket. “That’s why you didn’t take off your coat. You
knew you weren’t staying.”

“No, Campini, I hoped more than anything that I was.”

“If you need your gun, then shouldn’t you have on your
vest?”

“It’s in the truck.” He wouldn’t lie to her.

“Well make sure you put it on and don’t get shot in the
head,” she said fiercely.

“Yes, ma’am. Guys?”

“Go Shane. We’ll take her home even if she makes us bop her
over the head and carry her.” Brett tugged her back into her chair.

“Can I go to your place? I’m assuming you have food.” She
didn’t understand her sudden need to be there, waiting when he got back.

“I still have your key,” Brett volunteered.

“If you want to. And yes, there’s food but you’ll have to
heat it up.” Shane wished he had time to consider his reaction.

“We’ll manage,” Jesse assured him as Shane nodded.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“Go, Shane,” Brett repeated. “Alyssa will be safe, well-fed
and entertained until you get there, no matter what time it is.”

Shane held Alyssa’s gaze. “Thanks. It’s really nothing.” He
knew he sounded lame. “See ya soon, Pixie Queen.”

She waited until he was gone before she turned on Brett and
Jesse. “If it’s nothing, then why is he so tense? And don’t even bother trying
to lie to me or hide something from me. I know you or your buddies keep Jordan
aware of what McKade is working on so I know you know.”

Jesse shifted uncomfortably. “Alyssa, I’ll tell you the same
thing that I would tell Jordan if he asked me that tonight. He’s on the south
side again.”

“Doing what?”

“I’m sorry but I can’t tell you more than that.”

“You mean you won’t tell me more than that.”

“Stop it, Lyss. Don’t do this. We’re not the bad guys here
and I know you’re not really angry with us. I know you’re reacting to the fact
that you’re more worried about Shane than you’re ready to admit to yourself but
don’t take it out on Jesse.” Brett interrupted the explosion he feared was
coming.

“You need to ask Shane. He’ll tell you if he can,” Jesse
said gently. “I’m not necessarily referring to confidentiality here either,
although it could very well be at this point.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you really need to ask that?” Jesse paused so she could
consider both questions. “You should know by now that Shane’s a decent guy,
even if you are both pretending that you don’t have that sort of relationship.
I’m sure there are things that he sees at times that get to him so much that he
can’t bring himself to talk about. Try not to push too much if he says he can’t
tell you.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Jesse Monroe, Jordan’s friend originally but now, due
to his trust, also the friend of Brett, Shane, Max, Kiley and hopefully,
Alyssa.” He waited.

“And that’s all you’re going to say?”

“Please, Lyss, don’t.” Brett was ready to beg if he had to.

“Fine. Excuse me for asking. Just forget it.” She stood,
clearly ready to take off.

“If you’re not with us at Shane’s when he gets there later,
he’s going to be furious with us and beyond worried about you.” Jesse stopped
her. “I thought you were honestly concerned for him. If you’re leaving without
us, then I guess I was wrong. It’s not like he was asking for much.”

Alyssa slumped back into her chair, feeling completely
foolish. “I should apologize for being a bitch now.”

“You don’t have to.” Brett patted her hand. “I told you. We
understand that you’re in unfamiliar territory here and you don’t even have
your camera to protect you.” He held up his hand to stop her protest. “I think
we should change the subject, before you say something mean and hurt my
feelings. Unless either of you objects, can I suggest that we stop and pick up
dinner? I know Shane said he has food but I’m sure it is something entirely too
healthy for a Friday night. We’ll get a movie too.”

“Sounds good to me. Alyssa?” Jesse agreed.

“Yeah. Great,” she said, miserably. “I really am sorry.”