Bouncer (Bad Boys in Big Trouble Book 2) (17 page)

It wasn’t a stretch to believe that Elsa and Gordon had planted bugs in the club. Perhaps even at the table he’d be guarding tomorrow night. He’d have to do a fake bug sweep and hope the muscle for the meeting didn’t do their own check. They’d be stupid not to, but he’d seen it time and time again. Trust was often misplaced and humans were very fallible.

Reece wondered what might happen if he invited Jessica, Elsa and Gordon back to the club tomorrow night. The thought wouldn’t leave his head until he’d texted her.

Want to watch me at work tomorrow night?

I can’t talk, as I’m on guard duty at our table, but I can watch
you
dance.

Maybe Elsa can tear up the floor alongside you in the cheap seats.

Just a thought. Let me know. R

If she took him up on it, she’d either been lying about her love of club dancing or she and her two friends had been up to something else the other night. There might be other possibilities, but those were the two top contenders.

Reece vowed to do anything within his power to help her, drawing the line only at undermining or completely ruining his cover. If that happened, his career in or out of the field would no longer be his decision to make, if he kept his job at all.

~ ~ ~

Jessica floated to work the day after the operation in Reece’s club. Elsa and Gordon had been gone from her apartment before she woke up, but Elsa had sent her a text assuring her the van’s recording equipment had been turned off once they left the club. She hadn’t heard them leave, and they hadn’t come in by the time she arrived at work.

Pierce wanted her to attend an after-action meeting right before lunch to discuss the operation. She hoped to talk to Elsa before seeing Pierce to ensure no one else had been listening in on her fantasy date in the front seat of Reece’s car. Just because it hadn’t been recorded didn’t mean her new boss hadn’t heard them.

Neil hadn’t been at his desk all morning. She was probably a terrible person for rejoicing in that little break from her nemesis, and she couldn’t seem to wipe the smile from her face as she wrote up her report as to the previous night’s op at the club. She didn’t expect the little brown-noser would be gone for long, and she was right.

The good news was that right before Neil entered the floor, heading toward his nearby desk, Pierce had already parked himself in the extra chair by Jessica’s desk. In his hand he held what looked like her report. Mostly he seemed to be there to deflect Neil. She was greatly appreciative.

When Neil saw them, a satisfied expression graced his smug face. One she had categorized quite a long time ago. It was the one where he was supremely arrogant after getting away with something yet again, thanks to his uncle’s pull.

“You were right,” Pierce said under his breath, staring Neil down from across the room. Clearly, he was unhappy about Neil’s antics last night and equally unhappy to see him unscathed.

“I was?”

“Yes. Neil is proving more difficult to get off my team than I anticipated. I’ve been forced at gunpoint to allow him a second chance.” Jessica didn’t believe he was exaggerating about the gun to his head. That’s likely what it took to get Pierce’s compliance to allow Neil back on the taskforce.

“That’s too bad,” she said. “I was pulling for you to outrank his uncle. He’ll always be a loose cannon we’ll have to overcome in every situation where he’s the least bit involved, in my opinion, anyway.”

“That’s my opinion, as well. Neil must have dirt on his uncle or else the man wouldn’t be so forceful in his appeal to keep him not only employed, but on every high-profile case assigned within this building.”

“So what have
you
been threatened with, at gunpoint?”

“Dire things I don’t wish to repeat in the company of a lady, mostly because I’m the one who can’t take hearing them out loud again.”

She coughed to hide her laugh. “So his uncle didn’t buckle even after last night’s near fiasco when Nimrod Neil showed up at the club?”

“Nope. And I explained
that
incident in great detail. He was unmoved. Said it was a mistake anyone could make. He also applauded Neil’s proactive thinking for going there in the first place to help out his fellow agents, if you can even believe that load of bullshit.” Pierce rolled his eyes and shook his head. “The two of them are useless and delusional, as far as I’m concerned.”

Jessica nodded. “You’re right. Neil must have a firsthand account of something juicy or a video. Movies can be very persuasive.”

“That’s the truth.” He looked into her eyes with a sudden intensity she found difficult to look away from. In a low tone, Pierce said, “Here’s another truth. I’ll do my best to keep him away from actual teamwork, and not working with anyone else. If that fails, then I give you leave for whatever you need to do to defend yourself. I’ll always back you up before, during or after any incident.”

“Sir?”

“In other words, if that ass-kissing little prick gets out of line or touches you inappropriately, don’t punch him in the throat. Kick him in the balls. It’ll hurt more and dissuade him faster. Trust me. I’ll take any heat for you.”

She nodded again, stifling a laugh. “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Jessica had already planned to use Reece as a threat to keep Neil away from her, but having her boss back her up was huge.

For the next several days, however, Neil was on his best behavior. Even in the meetings with Pierce and the others, he didn’t ogle her or make so much as a squeak to voice an opinion. Jessica was not fooled. It was only a matter of time before chaos reigned down around them.

She didn’t expect he’d be able to keep this good boy act up forever, and couldn’t possibly depend on him turning over such a new leaf after only a single threat from Pierce.

The task force met daily to strategize and plan every possible tactic to catch their prey, with someone listening to the planted devices twenty-four-seven hoping to glean information. So far nothing of note had been heard.

Jessica got a surprising text from Reece late Friday night, inviting her to the club Saturday. Before responding, she called Elsa and read the text word for word over the phone.

“You must accept.” Elsa’s tone was excited.

Jessica balked. “Is it reasonable that you’re still staying at my apartment?”

“Why not? I’m on a long spontaneous vacation. I notice he didn’t invite Gordon again.”

“Could be an oversight, or maybe it’s because it’s a Saturday night. If you aren’t a girl, you aren’t getting inside. Guys don’t get in typically unless they plan to spend the vast amount of money needed to sit at a premium table, right?”

“True. Okay. We can still work with that. Any ideas about the VIP he’s guarding in the premium space?”

“Nope, but I hope it’s the guy Pierce is after.”

“That seems almost too good to be true, you know?”

“I know. But if it’s anyone doing anything they aren’t supposed to be doing, we’d get a heads up either way, right?”

“Yes, right. One other thing,
chica—
you’ll have to get out and dance with me. He’s obviously expecting it.”

Jessica’s face went hot. “Is that necessary? Can’t I just protect our purses and drinks while you get out there?”

“No. Trust me, two girls dancing together can get away with so much more than just one alone. We’ll stay on the edge of the dance floor as close to the premium table your boyfriend’s guarding as we can get. Text him back and accept his generous offer. Tell him I wouldn’t let you say no. Meanwhile, I’ll call Pierce and start strategizing. That will also mean we work all day tomorrow to get ready.”

Jessica didn’t have much enthusiasm when she said, “Awesome.”

Elsa’s trill of laughter came through the line, making her feel a little bit better. “I’ve got your back,
chica
. Not to worry. Tomorrow, I’ll teach you some simple rocking hot dance moves that will turn heads, especially your guy’s. See you in the morning.”

Jessica quickly sent a text accepting Reece’s invitation before she lost her nerve and had to explain her childish fears to her boss. It wasn’t that she hated dancing, per se. She hated being the center of attention. She would loathe every moment of being on the dance floor. Then her memory of dancing with Reece filled her mind. He’d been perfect and kept her distracted while they moved around the crowded dance floor.

Thanks for the invitation.

Elsa is over the moon, of course, even though

Gordon left for home already. She says I have to dance with her.

She’s promised to teach me something new.

I’ll miss being attached to you while you lead.

But I’ll enjoy it if
you
watch my new hot dance moves. J

When Reece confirmed, he said something about losing his job if he watched her too much, but that it would be worth it.

She had to calm her racing nerves over dancing alone with Elsa, hot new moves or not,
and
the idea of Reece watching her do it.

Chapter Twelve

Reece watched the dance floor without really seeing it. The meeting hadn’t started, but he hadn’t been allowed to guard inside the curtained area anyway. He also hadn’t seen so much as the gender of the person who’d entered a few minutes ago. Arthur hadn’t made an appearance, but that could be to allow his special guest to get settled in.

Earlier he’d stood at the entrance to the club, keeping a lookout for either Jessica or the person he was supposed to be escorting into the club for the
discreet
meeting center court no less. The word oxymoron circled his brain more than once. He’d stopped rolling his eyes, but decided they were utterly foolish. Guys like these yahoos tonight got high on their own power, and after escaping justice for too long, came to the erroneous conclusion they were untouchable.

He couldn’t wait to prove them wrong.

The night was lively, meaning it was insane for a weekend. There were people lined up around the block to gain entrance. He’d reserved a table for Jessica and Elsa, but not in the premium section where he’d be. If she showed up after the special guests, Hector assured him they’d get inside without delay.

Reece didn’t relish his role standing outside the curtains of the premium table. At least not yet, since Jessica wasn’t here. Once she arrived, he’d have a great view of her table and the dance floor. He was anxious to see the hot new dance moves she’d learned. There was also a speaker nearby limiting his ability to listen in to any conversation in the curtained area to break his boredom. If he’d been invited to guard inside he might have been able to hear some of what they said, but would have missed watching Jessica dance.

He wished he didn’t want to watch his girl more than he wanted to listen to these secret proceedings. For his part, he needed to stick with Arthur closely after the meeting. Something had been staged to help with that endeavor.

Reece knew the drill, even though this was technically his first time at VIP guard duty. Arthur would make an appearance, and Reece would have to pay attention to glean any information regarding the addition to his little black book of criminals or whatever was used. Even finding his method of recording his clients would be a boon. In addition to a lengthy life of crime in his younger days, and being a money launderer extraordinaire, Arthur did favors for people and fully expected favors in return. All contacts were supposedly entered into his super-secret system when he acquired a new special friend.

There had recently been an anonymous suggestion within his rank and file that perhaps Arthur was some sort of genius savant with the ability to remember infinite details of intricate deals forever without writing them down anywhere. And further, that the only recording system he used was his mega smart brain. In that case, Reece was screwed and so was the agency he worked for.

His mission was to find out what Arthur’s system was and do his best to thwart it permanently. The hardest part was waiting to be trusted while in the company of criminals and their various activities. Reece had never been so close to his goal. If Jessica’s case helped him learn how the system worked, he’d be grateful and he’d ensure his higher ups knew it.

Tonight, he’d likely have to ditch her after making a big show of inviting her here. But the diversion he’d planned was to make Arthur feel threatened and then provide immediate protection, thereby staying at his side after this important meeting.

He hadn’t given Jessica a specific time to arrive, and it was still possible she’d stand him up, but he didn’t think so. Assuming Elsa and Gordon had planted bugs at the table as he suspected, Reece had pretended to do a bug sweep last night. He’d also commented to the security guy he’d enlisted to help him that it was a shame this premium table was going to be empty for the whole night until ten o’clock before the secret meeting Saturday night.

The guy had smiled and commented that at least Reece had a worthy girlfriend to bring in to enjoy it on occasion.

Later, Reece had done a real sweep and still found nothing. Maybe those listening to the bugs had clued into his hint and temporarily deactivated them to avoid detection. Or he was off his rocker and Elsa and Gordon were merely friends of Jessica’s without ulterior motives. Either way, tonight should be interesting. He’d do well to focus on his own needs and not the fantasy of a conspiracy headed by his reluctant girlfriend.