“I didn’t see you leave last night.”
“Yeah, kinda flew under the radar.”
“Hmm, I know what that means. So...what’s up?”
“Look, there was this woman there last night...”
“Oh really?” Justin teased.
“This is different,” Rafe said, pacing in front of the bar.
“What do you mean?”
Rafe paused a moment, trying to piece what was running through his head together. “I don’t know, man. I saw her and...anyway, she’s been on mind.”
“Okay... I know you’re not asking for my advice.” He chuckled.
“Not exactly. More like a favor.”
“Shoot.”
“All I know is her name is Avery and she works for the Secret Service. She was on the VP detail.”
“Whoa. Okay. And...”
“And I need you to use some of your connections to find out her last name and how I can reach her. I’m sure Dad knows, but he’s the last person I’d ask.”
“Hmm. I’ll see what I can find out. Is it really that important?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Don’t think I’ve heard that tone in your voice before. This is new.”
“Guess it is,” he said, the realization hitting him. He took a swallow of his drink. Frowned.
“Actually, I get it. Ran into this woman weeks ago at a bar downtown. Couldn’t shake her, and damn if she wasn’t the bartender at Granddad’s party.”
“What! But you were with what’s-her-name. The one none of us like.”
Justin grumbled deep in his throat. “Yes, the situation got a little awkward. But at least I know where she works. It wasn’t until last night that she actually knew who I was.”
“What does that mean? You been seeing her in disguise? Using a false name?” He chuckled.
“Naw. I just never told her I was a Lawson.”
“For obvious reasons. I get it. Say no more. But now that she knows what’s your next move?”
“I plan to see her again. There’s this connection. Ya know?”
“Yeah, bro, I think I do.”
The front door opened and the club manager Carlos walked in with Paul the house chef and Rafe’s favorite two waitresses Simone and Leslie right behind them.
“Gotta run. Duty calls.”
“Yeah, me, too. Meeting a client.”
“So you’ll check that out for me?”
“No doubt.”
“Cool. And, J...”
“Yeah...?”
“Good luck with your lady friend.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s her name by the way?”
“Bailey. Bailey Sinclair.”
“Bailey. I like it.” He chuckled. “Be easy.”
“You, too.”
Rafe pocketed his phone and greeted his staff, all the while wondering how long it would take Justin to find out what he wanted to know.
Chapter 2
Avery Richards planted her feet, aimed her Glock and fired six rounds in rapid succession. She extracted the earplugs and removed the protective goggles. The paper target floated toward her like a ghost in a bad B movie. Five to the chest and one right between the eyes.
“Not bad.”
Avery gave a cursory glance and chose to ignore the comment.
Mike Stone, often her detail partner and unrequited suitor, stepped into the booth next to hers. She wouldn’t characterize their relationship as adversarial but it was often tense. Mostly because Avery was damned good at every aspect of her job, she had seniority and she didn’t fall under his questionable charms.
Mike was accustomed to having what and who he wanted. The fact that he couldn’t live out what he believed to be his manifest destiny with Avery irked him to no end. It didn’t, however, stop him from challenging her whenever it suited him. Quite frankly she was tired of his bullshit male ego and planned to ask to be reassigned.
She’d been hired under the first female head of the Secret Service. Avery didn’t have the same rapport with her replacement and she didn’t want to play the victim card. But the fact was she didn’t trust Mike and that could prove tragic if placed in a life or death situation. She didn’t want to pull her trump card and ask for favors from her senator father. She needed to work this out on her own. That or simply shoot Mike and put them both out of their misery.
“Ever think about just wounding?” He put on his goggles.
“You. I have, yes.”
He laughed and plugged his ears. “Dead suspects tell no tales.”
She rolled her eyes, holstered her weapon and detached her target sheet. “Have a good day, Mike,” she said. The drip of sarcasm pooled at her feet.
The sound of gunfire followed her out of the target range.
* * *
When Avery pushed through the heavy steel door and entered the long corridor that led to a row of offices, she ran into her friend Kerry Holt.
She and Kerry had trained together when they first joined the service six years earlier and they became fast friends. Kerry was the one person in whom she could confide without it coming back to haunt her.
They exchanged a quick hug.
“I thought you were off today,” Kerry said.
“I am. Just getting some practice in.” She tipped her head toward the range.
“How was that party the other night?”
“I thought it would be the typical stuffed-shirt event, but if I wasn’t on duty I would have had a ball.”
“Really?”
“Mmm-hmm.” She lowered her voice. “I met Senator Lawson’s son, Rafe.”
Kerry’s green eyes widened. “I’ve only seen pictures. Is he as gorgeous in person?”
“That would be an understatement.” She pushed out a breath. “There’s something about him.” Her gaze drifted off.
“Did you give him your number?”
“No! Don’t be silly. I was on duty.”
“So.”
“So? I’m not going to lose my job for a turn-on.”
“You need a turn-on. When’s the last time you got some?”
Avery made a face. “Is that all you can think about?”
“Yes.”
They laughed.
“You’re a mess.”
“Maybe but you still should have given him your number.”
“For what? I live in DC and he’s in Louisiana.”
“Hmm. True. Anyway, what are you doing later?”
“Heading to the gym, then home. Stop by and I’ll fix us some mimosas.”
“Don’t