Bare It All (28 page)

Sometimes it was safer to play deaf, dumb and blind, especially
with criminals outrageous enough to attempt murder in broad daylight.

If that had been their intent. At this point, he refused to
make assumptions.

The entire day had slipped away, and still they hadn’t turned
up the owner who’d fled out the back. Far as Reese was concerned, that made him
guilty as hell.

Not more than an hour ago, after reminding Reese to keep her in
the loop, Peterson had stormed off like a thundercloud. He’d assumed she would
go home and change clothes before heading to the station. Reese didn’t envy
anyone who crossed her path tonight.

Not that long ago, he would have dealt with his simmering
frustration and spiked temper with a long shower, a beer, a willing woman and
then a good night’s sleep—in that exact order.

It said something, Reese thought, that he hadn’t even
considered going to his own apartment. Bad as the day had been, when he thought
of heading home, it meant being with Alice.

Tonight, it also meant visiting with Rowdy and Logan, Pepper
and Dash, as they all congregated at Alice’s place.

How did she feel about that? For a woman who’d tried so hard to
close herself off from the world, it had to be disconcerting that Reese had not
only bullied his way in, he’d brought a crowd.

And not just any crowd.

No longer looking so dangerous, Rowdy lounged comfortably on
her couch, Cash draped over his lap to soak up attention. It was a little eerie,
how Rowdy switched from lethal to carefree in such a short time.

Dash had shown up with Logan and Pepper to wait with Alice, and
now they still hung around.

At least Peterson hadn’t joined them, thank God. Reese knew
he’d never again be able to look at her the same way.

When he’d shown up shirtless, Alice had not-so-inconspicuously
checked him over head to toes before going off to the kitchen to prepare
coffee.

Pepper accompanied her. Reese had a million things on his mind.
He easily could have died today, Peterson and Rowdy with him. The clash with the
gunman left his knuckles bruised, his right knee swollen and his head
throbbing.

What should have been a simple case of surveillance had sharply
morphed into audacious, reckless destruction. The stakes had gone from implicit
danger to attempted murder.

But he wasn’t teetering off his axis because of any of that.
His world had gone upside down because of Alice, because of how much he’d
anticipated getting back to her. How much he’d wanted to hold and touch her
after the disturbing events of the day.

Yes, he could have died; he’d faced that possibility many times
in his job, and he’d always fallen to his usual routine to put the ugliness
behind him.

But the usual didn’t cut it anymore. Not since Alice, not since
realizing that death meant never seeing her again.

He didn’t even know how to function with caring that much for a
woman.

Running a hand over his face, Reese rested back in the chair
and tried to come to grips with her effect on him.

“Your lieutenant surprised me.”

At Rowdy’s lighthearted tone, Reese opened one eye and stared
at him.

While still stroking the dog, Rowdy smiled.

Insane. After the violent chaos of the day, Rowdy didn’t look
ruffled. He showed no aftermath of a near-death experience. He didn’t even look
all that worried.

He smiled as if...amused.

Great. Rowdy must have a damned death wish or, at the very
least, a severe lack of concern for his own life. Shortly, Rowdy planned to head
to the bar for his meeting with DeeDee. But now, after what had happened, no way
could Reese let him go through with it.

“You’re talking about Margo?” At the other end of the couch,
Dash showed blatant interest.

Who the hell was Margo? “Her name is Margaret.” And to clarify
further, Reese said, “Lieutenant Margaret Peterson.”

Dash shrugged. “Yeah, but she goes by Margo.”

Brows raised, Logan and Reese shared a look that asked,
Since when?

“So,” Dash pushed. “What did she do?”

“Not what she did, so much,” Rowdy said. “But how she looked
doing it.” That particular, male-inspired tone said it all, but still Rowdy
added, “Reese knows what I mean. I thought his eyes would fall out when he saw
her.”

So, Rowdy had somehow witnessed his surprise?

Both Dash and Logan turned to Reese for enlightenment.

In his defense, Reese blurted, “She has a set of breasts on
her.” That sounded so absurd, he rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen the
growing tension.

“Who?” Logan asked, mired in confusion.

Again Rowdy helped out. “Lieutenant Peterson.”

Logan pulled back. “You saw her...” And then in a choked
whisper,
“Breasts?”

“Couldn’t help it,” Rowdy supplied. “She showed up in this
boner-inspiring outfit, and that was enough to drop Reese’s eyeballs right
there. But then after one of the men grabbed for her, she lost her blouse.”

“Stop grinning, damn it.” Reese squeezed his eyes shut. “Jesus,
never in a million years did I expect...that.”

Dash snorted. “What did you think? That she’d have chest
hair?”

Not really, but he hadn’t expected her to be so
lush
. “Chest hair, and possibly brass balls to go with
it.”

“Exactly,” Logan agreed.

“Don’t be dumb,” Dash said, entertained at Reese’s expense.
“She
is
a woman after all.”

Rowdy lifted a hand. “Noticed.”

Stunned silent, Logan gaped at his soon-to-be
brother-in-law.

Rowdy said, “What? She’s sexy, whether you two clowns want to
see it or not. But,” he added, cutting off verbal reactions, “she’s also a
lieutenant. Sort of takes the fun out of it.”

“Maybe for detectives working under her command.” Dash sent a
crooked grin to Rowdy. “Or someone determined to butt heads with the law.” Then
he held out his arms. “As it happens, I’m neither.”

Well, hell,
Reese thought.
Alice had nailed that one.

Logan looked equal parts ill, alarmed and outraged, so Reese
filled in the deafening silence. “It’s got nothing to do with her rank in the
force or any of that. It’s that Peterson always dresses so...hell, I don’t know.
So ‘official’ that it’s hard to see anything feminine.”

In a low, appreciative murmur, Rowdy said, “Saw all kinds of
feminine things today.”

No kidding. “But she’s actually very...” With Logan, Dash and
Rowdy all waiting for his description, Reese floundered.
Hot
wasn’t the right word, not for his lieutenant, not to say to his
partner, not in front of Dash and Rowdy.

“I don’t want to know.” Logan pushed away from his seat. “I’d
as soon block all that from my brain right now.”

Yeah, Reese, too. But the sight of the lieutenant’s breasts
would always be there now, between them.

No! God, no. Not
between
them.
Just...
there.

Peterson wasn’t Alice; she didn’t fire his blood and make him
stupid with carnal hunger. She didn’t occupy his thoughts morning, noon and
night, or get him hard by her presence alone. He didn’t want her sexually,
therefore seeing her half-naked was more of a discomfort than anything else.

And with Logan pacing, it was time for a change of subject, and
fast.

“This wasn’t a random robbery or spontaneous crime. We were
targeted because of the tattoo murder investigation. Someone overheard us, or
knows we’re on to them, and now we’re a liability. Someone called the goons to
get rid of us. And that same someone has the entire area locked down. No one is
going to talk. That makes this whole operation bigger than we suspected.”

Logan did some more pacing. “Murdering a lieutenant and a
detective draws an awful lot of notice if their goal was only to protect their
enterprise.”

“But if they’ve murdered before...” Rowdy shrugged. “What do
they have to lose?”

“Nothing,” Reese agreed. “And that’s why I want you to skip the
meeting with DeeDee.”

“Nope.” Casual as you please, Rowdy refused him.

Stubborn, careless, macho...Reese worked his jaw. “Then Logan
and I will go along to ensure you have some backup.”

“They know you,” Rowdy said about Reese. “If they’re onto us,
then we have to assume they also know you’re a cop. You’re out.” He tipped his
head toward Logan. “And he’s lame.”

Logan stiffened. “Lame?”

“You know what I mean.” Rowdy indicated his arm. “Still
handicapped.”

Logan’s quiet tone sounded more menacing than a shout. “The
hell I am.”

Undisturbed by his temper, Rowdy glanced at his watch. “I
should be taking off right now. I want to go home and shower first.”

Reese blocked his way. “It’s too dangerous. You just said it
yourself, they’re onto you.”

“Yeah, but that’s the thing, right? I already know it.” Rowdy
showed little care. “They won’t be taking me by surprise, no matter what they
pull.”

Losing his patience, Reese barked, “You could damn well be shot
walking into the bar.”

And suddenly, Pepper was there, her face a study in alarm.
Alice fretted behind her.

Pepper looked at Logan. “Who’s going to shoot at Rowdy?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

R
OWDY
GAVE
R
EESE
a
thanks a lot
glare. “The boys in blue are just
being dramatic.”

“Actually,” Reese said, “Rowdy is being pigheaded.”

Pepper looked ready to assault him for the insult, but Logan
saved him by pulling her to his side.

“Reese is right.” He kept her close as he explained the plans
for the night, and the risk involved. “DeeDee—if that’s her real name—is just a
lure to get Rowdy to the designated spot.”

“He can’t do it,” Pepper agreed, her voice firm. And then,
directly to Rowdy, “You can’t do it.”

“You don’t have to worry, kiddo.” Rowdy moved Cash aside and
pushed to his feet. “I’ll be fine. You know I can take care of myself.”

Pepper back-stepped away before Rowdy could touch her.
“No.”

“And,” Rowdy added with emphasis, “it might be our best bet for
finding the bastards who are tattooing girls, and maybe even murdering
them.”

“No.”

He frowned. “I’m doing it.” And then to Logan, “Take care of
her, will you?”

Logan held up both hands. “If you’re asking me to reassure her
that you won’t be hurt, then sorry, no can do.”

Biting her bottom lip, Alice stepped into the fray before
brother and sister started in on real bickering. “I’m sorry. This is my
fault.”

“Not even close,” Rowdy said.

But Alice wasn’t listening. “If I hadn’t gotten involved—”

“Then no one would yet realize that those women need help.”
Reese held out a hand, and Alice took it. And even that, such a simple
connection, meant so much. He pulled her closer and addressed Rowdy. “Logan and
I will go with you. No argument. Even if he’s not one-hundred percent yet, Logan
is one hell of an asset.”

“Thanks,” Logan said, deadpan.

“And he knows how to blend in.”

Pepper scowled. “Yeah, he does.”

Reese continued, thinking out loud. “I can probably find a
corner of the bar dark enough to hide me.”

“Right,” Rowdy scoffed. “Paint you green and you could be the
freakin’ Hulk. Hiding a guy your size isn’t possible.”

“Okay, fine. So maybe there’s a back room, or someplace in the
kitchen where I could keep watch.”

In tacit agreement, Rowdy mulled over the particulars. “The
kitchen is out,” he said. “That’d leave you exposed, and the bar is overrun with
corruption, so it’s anyone’s guess who’s involved.”

“And who might turn you out,” Logan added.

“But Avery can stash you in the pantry. Hid there once myself,
and it works fine.”

Pepper tucked in her chin. “Avery?”

“She’s a waitress at a bar I bought.” Rowdy shook that off as
insignificant—but no one was buying it, least of all his sister.

Jaw now loose, Pepper took a menacing step toward Rowdy. “You
bought a bar?”

That soft, accusing voice made his brows come down. “I was
going to tell you,” Rowdy said defensively. “But today got a little busy, you
know.”

What an understatement. Reese cleared his throat and tried to
get things back on track. “So, you trust this Avery?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Logan lifted a brow. “If you just bought the bar, how well do
you know her? Is she a woman you’re dating?”

Pepper snorted. “Rowdy doesn’t
date
. He just has sex.” Her narrowed gaze held plenty of accusation for
Rowdy. “And he had a really annoying double standard about it, too. It was fine
for
him,
but I wasn’t even supposed to look.”

Tipping his head toward Logan, Rowdy indicated his hold on
Pepper. “You did more than look, kiddo, so stop complaining.”

“And when it comes to you,” Logan said, “I’m glad he was so
vigilant.”

Rowdy lifted one shoulder. “But when it comes to Avery, I’m not
doing either.”

Dash grinned. “Is the ‘no dating’ part hampering the sex
part?”

“Maybe. Hard to tell. But she’s going to be my bartender, so
it’s probably best I don’t go there with her, anyway.”

“Spoken like a rejected man.” Dash lifted his Coke in a salute.
“If you can’t get it, deny wanting it.”

Rowdy smirked.

Because their personalities were so dissimilar, it surprised
Reese that Dash and Rowdy appeared to get along so well.

“What’s wrong with her?” Pepper asked.

And the men all laughed.

“Seriously, kiddo, take me off that pedestal, will you?” Full
of fondness, Rowdy smiled at her. “I do get struck down every now and then, you
know.”

Confused by the denial, Pepper crossed her arms. “No, you
don’t.”

“Yeah...” Rowdy slanted a look around the room, then grinned.
“She’s right. I usually don’t.”

“Then that makes Avery either really smart,” Dash said, “or
really special.”

Maybe tonight, Rowdy would figure out which it was. “I’m
willing to trust her if you are,” Reese said. “I know some other good
cops—officers I trust—who can blend in, as well.”

“Jesus, Reese, you may as well turn on the red-and-blue
lights.”

Speaking over Rowdy’s protests, Reese added, “Dash, do you
think you can stay here with Alice and Pepper?”

“Sure, no problem.” He commandeered Rowdy’s place next to Cash.
“We’ll defend the home front, won’t we, buddy?” Given how Cash’s tail got
started, he agreed.

Logan took over, saying to Rowdy, “You’re not supposed to meet
at the bar until midnight, which means it’ll be a late night. I’m going to run
home with Pepper so she can get some things together.”

“I’m spending the night?” Pepper asked.

“I don’t want you home alone.” Logan cupped her jaw. “Do you
mind?”

“With Alice and Dash as company? Nope, don’t mind at all.”

“I’ll be back for you as soon as I can, but it might be dawn
before we wrap up. You just never know. I want you comfortable while you’re
here.”

“So, I’m grabbing my pj’s and a pillow, huh?”

Reese would bet his last dollar that Pepper didn’t own pajamas,
but he understood that they wanted some time alone. Hell, he’d love a little
time alone with Alice, too. Unfortunately, he didn’t see that happening, not
until tomorrow at the earliest.

“I’m sorry I turned my spare bedroom into an office,” Alice
said. “They’d probably suggest I stay with you, since your home is so much
bigger, but Cash is most comfortable here.” To prove that point, she smiled at
Cash, stretched out on his back over half of the couch so Dash could rub his
chest. He had one soft black ear hanging off the side of the cushion.

Yeah, God knew Alice wouldn’t want to inconvenience the dog.
She loved him.

And without planning it, without even thinking it through,
Reese said, “I’ll be looking at my own house soon. Cash needs a yard where he
can run around.”

Startled, Alice said, “You want to buy a house?”

“The idea appeals to me, yes.” Damn it. He shouldn’t have just
thrown that out there. It was absolutely the wrong time to go into it. “We’ll
talk about it later.”

She held silent, but he saw the questions—and the
uncertainty—in her eyes. Did she think he planned to move away from her?

“Time for us to go,” Pepper said. But as she passed Reese, she
said sotto voce, “I vote for a house near us, just so you know.”

Reese smiled at her. “You think you could tolerate my
proximity?”

“To be closer to Alice, sure.”

So, she assumed Alice would be part of the deal? What did Alice
think? Reese tried to see her face, but she kept her head down.

Logan and Pepper left with the promise that they’d be back
before eleven.

Rowdy and Dash hung around.

“So,” Alice began. “I have an idea how we could draw out the
bastards without putting Rowdy at risk.”

“No,” Reese and Rowdy both said at the same time.

Dash wisely stayed out of it.

“Instead of DeeDee luring Rowdy, I could lure Hickson.”

“No,” Reese emphasized more firmly.

“And ‘bastards’ sounds funny when you say it, Alice. It doesn’t
suit you.”

She glared at Rowdy for that bit of censure. “Cheryl will be
calling me. We all know she’s been pulled into the scheme, that she’s being
used. I won’t leave her to deal with that alone, and they’re probably going to
insist on seeing me personally. So why not—”

At her dogged persistence, Reese thought his head might explode
off his body. “No, and
no.
” Dear God, even hearing
her speculate on such a thing made his guts twist in dread. “You’re not going
anywhere without me.”

She folded her arms over her chest. “I need to know that Cheryl
is safe!”

Reese leaned into her temper. “Trust
me
to take care of it!”

She jabbed a finger toward Rowdy. “Why doesn’t
he
have to trust you to handle things?”

Dash snickered but cut the sound short when the front door
opened, and a large man walked in. In a single glance, Reese took his measure,
making note of everything.

A black T-shirt, bulky from a Kevlar vest underneath, was
tucked into casual tan slacks. He hadn’t even tried to conceal the black leather
holster that held a Beretta, or the utility belt loaded with extra magazines, a
stun gun, a baton and a knife.

From the corner of his eye, Reese saw Rowdy pull Alice behind
him. Dash joined him, and together they protected her with a solid wall of male
muscle.

Cash, unaccountably, sat up but made no move to attack.

His gun already in hand, Reese stepped in front of them
all.

The big man looked from Reese’s face to the gun, and back to
his face with chilling indifference. “You’re protecting her?” And then, looking
past Reese: “Alice, he’s protecting you?”

Son of a bitch. Reese kept his aim steady. He had a good idea
who had just come calling. But he wasn’t at all sure how he felt about the
impromptu visit.

* * *

O
OPS
,
A
LICE
THOUGHT
as she recognized that whiskey-smooth voice.

New levels of testosterone throbbed in the air, along with
razor sharp tension.

Rowdy tried to shrug off her hands when she gripped his
shoulders and peered between him and Dash. She saw the fair, straight hair,
still a little too long, and those incredible golden eyes.

Gratitude welled up anew, and a smile threatened, but Alice
didn’t dare. Not just yet. Not while Reese stood there, armed and dangerous.

Licking her dry lips, Alice nodded. “I believe he is, yes.”

He accepted that without question, saying casually to Reese,
“Put the gun away.”

“I don’t think so.” A muscle ticked in Reese’s clenched jaw.
“Who the hell are you, and what do you want?”

Alice skirted around Rowdy so she could whisper to Reese, “Put
it away before he puts it away for you.”

If anything, Reese became more aggressive in stance and
attitude. He stepped in front of Alice again.

“Sorry, Alice, but insulting a man’s ability definitely won’t
help.” Unconcerned, as if Reese, Rowdy and Dash were no threat at all, he came
farther into the room, walking to the couch to sit down.

Okay, so she could see him discounting Dash. Not that Dash
wasn’t big and rock solid, but he didn’t have the same level of...menace, maybe,
that Reese and Rowdy exuded.

Still, Dash was an imposing male. Not as imposing as Reese, of
course, but—

Cash, who’d watched the proceedings with interest, didn’t
appear to mind sharing the couch. Those piercing golden-brown eyes took in the
dog, scratched under his chin without a word, made a friend.

Cash thumped his tail in open welcome.

That should have put Reese at ease, but apparently he didn’t
trust Cash’s judgment any more than he did Alice’s.

“You’ve got two seconds to explain,” Reese told him.

Those compelling golden eyes came back to Alice’s face.

He smiled.

And she felt more flustered.

“First a cop, and now these two.” He nodded toward Rowdy and
Dash. “You’ve been getting around, Alice.” Pleasure took the threat from his
compelling stare. “I like it.”

A blush crawled up Alice’s neck and spread out over her face.
“Oh, um...” Again she tried to squeeze out from between the men, but Rowdy held
her back. She gave up. “They’re just friends.”

“But the big one is more?”

Lord, they were
all
big, but she
knew who he meant.

“Damn right I am,” Reese said.

Feeling very self-conscious, Alice gave a small nod of
agreement.

His smile widened into a grin. “You’re allowed, you know. And
you more than deserve a little fun.”

The easy demeanor didn’t reassure Reese at all.
“Who the fuck are you?”

Sitting back, arms stretched out over the back of the sofa,
muscled thighs relaxed, he took Reese’s measure. “I’m Trace.”

Finally, Alice thought, she could rid herself of the last big
barrier between herself and Reese. As dangerous as the night would be, as
surprised as she was by the unexpected visit, she was thrilled that Trace was
here.

Now he could tell Reese anything he needed to know, and there
would never again be secrets between them.

* * *

A
LICE
’
S
SAVIOR
.
Her
knight in shining armor.

No way in hell would Reese relax his stance. “So you’re the
wraith.”

“I’ve been called that, yes.” He looked past Reese and frowned.
“I’d appreciate it if they’d stop manhandling her.”

Reese narrowed his eyes. “Turn her loose, Rowdy.” But he added,
“I don’t want you near him, Alice.”

She made a sound of exasperation. “He’s not going to hurt
me.”

“You’ll stay away from him all the same.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

Trace grinned. “She was more timid when last I saw her.”