[B.S. #1] Tied Up in Knotts (3 page)

Avery came around the corner from the back kitchen, skirting the end of the counter, tying her apron as she walked. She didn’t notice Clay sitting at the counter until she was in direct sight of him. James could see her eyes widen in surprise. Clay did that to most people. He was six foot three, full of muscles and dressed completely in black leather, making him an intimidating figure. Watching, James saw Clay crack a bad boy smile that said he wasn’t dangerous, just misunderstood. Ladies seemed to fall for this look all the time and swarmed around him wherever he went. Avery was no different, except that she kept her distance as far as the back wall permitted. James saw her stiffen her back when asking Clay if she could help him and just sat back to watch his plan unfold.

With wide eyes, Avery took in the new customer. God he was big. The only thing that kept him from looking like he wanted to eat his young was his smile and the long brown hair trimmed in silver that reached over his collar and slid into his eyes.

Pushing it back with a hand covered in scars, Clay gestured to the menu. “I would like a coffee and toast with jam. Thanks, madam.”

“OK, but are you sure that’s going to be enough breakfast for a big guy like you?” Avery bit her tongue as soon as the words passed her lips. That was a little too familiar to a customer she knew nothing about. Would he be insulted? He seemed so polite, calling her madam—no one did that any more.

“You’re right, it is too small for breakfast, but this is just a midmorning snack. Thanks for thinking about me.” Clay gave her a wide smile and a wink from warm gray gun-metal eyes. Avery relaxed with his response and quickly turned to get his coffee and toast.

“Here you go.” Avery placed the coffee and toast down in front of Clay.

“Are you new to the area?” Avery looked up at Clay with a shy smile.

“Yes and no. I opened a business a few years back across town, and this morning I’m searching out a place to locate a second office.” Clay picked up his coffee and took a sip as he studied Avery. “Know any good places around here?”

“You really don’t want to move any business into this area. It’s not that great at the best of times.” Avery leaned closer, keeping her voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear her putting down the neighborhood. In this area, gossip was never a good thing—anyone had the potential to take things the wrong way. And one thing she didn’t need was added attention when she was trying to keep a low profile.

“Oh, I don’t know. If you live around here, it must have some redeeming qualities,” Clay replied.

“Are you kidding me? I only live here out of necessity. If I could change my address and job, I would in a second,” Avery said in a hushed tone of voice after noticing the cook looking at her. God she hoped this didn’t get back to the boss. She’d be out of a job in a flash if he thought she was dissing the diner.

“You look like you’re over qualified for this position anyway,” Clay said, looking her up and down. “Why don’t you change your job and move uptown?” Clay used the same low tone she had. “I think you can do better than this.”

“Well looks can be deceiving. I am very happy with this job and my apartment.” Looking around, Avery hastily stepped back. She realized she was talking to a stranger that she knew nothing about, but had strangely felt comfortable talking to.

“I’ll just get back to work. If you need a refill just yell,” Avery stammered and walked to the next customer at the counter.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I do think you can do better. Anyway, I have to be off and look at some buildings down the street.” Clay laid some cash down on the counter with a little extra for her and left with an easy stride.

James had watched the interaction between Avery and Clay from his booth. They seemed to be getting chummy until something snapped Avery out of her friendly mood.
Wonder what that was about
? James stood up and advanced to the cash register where Avery was currently checking out another customer.

With money in hand, James stood in line to pay. “That will be $5.50, same as every day,” Avery said, keeping her head down. Her long blonde hair covered her face, and allowed her to avoid any contact with his eyes. James wanted her to look up, but she didn’t. With a frown he handed her the money and made his way out the front door.

Two buildings down the street he met up with Clay.

“Well what do you think?” James asked as soon as he was close enough for Clay to hear him. His impatience was telling in his rushed movements. James usually had a smooth gate to his walk. He always looked like he had all the time in the world and nothing better to do. But this morning that was missing. “And why the hell were you so chummy with her?” he demanded.

With a scowl on his face, Clay held up his hand before James could get another word out. “James, step back a minute. Didn’t you tell me to get friendly and gain her confidence—that’s all I did. And before you can ask, yes, I see what you see, an innocent girl in a bad place. Now what’s the next step?”

James wiped his hand over his face.
Fuck, Clay was right.
He had to step back, but every instinct was telling him to sweep her away out of this place and protect her. Seeing her talk to Clay in the diner had awakened his greedy “mine” obsession—no one but he was supposed to see that shy smile.

“Now we find a building that’s not falling down around our ears that we can change into a business.” James strode with Clay as they looked at all the buildings lining the sidewalk with “For Rent” notices posted in each window. It was going to be someone’s lucky day.

Chapter Three

Avery watched the tall, well-built, muscular man pay for his usual coffee and leave the diner. God he was hot, but so out of place on this side of town. Although he wore old jeans and a battle-weary leather jacket, he had the look of a CEO of one of the large downtown firms. He stood at least six feet and seemed huge to her five-foot height, but with his black overly long hair and piercing blue eyes, the whole package looked as good coming or going. Avery knew. She watched him every day under her lashes, so he couldn’t tell, and that tight ass that swaggered out the door every day just made her drool a little bit every time.

Could she take a bite? Avery mused to herself. She had been serving him coffee every morning and evening for a week. Could he be one of the Feds that had dodged her every step after her parents’ car accident? He always seemed to be trying to look deep inside her and she almost believed he could see what was hiding when he asked for coffee every day. He made her uncomfortable with his scrutiny, but in a good way, like if she really needed someone at her back, he would be there. She’d never had that feeling from someone before. She learned never to depend on anyone after her parents’ betrayal. If she couldn’t count on her parents, how could she count on a stranger? God, she hoped he was as nice as he looked. Tearing her eyes away from his retreating figure, Avery went back to work with a thoughtful expression on her face. Maybe she would try to get to know him better the next time she saw him. This wasn’t like her, but she was getting tired of living alone with no one to talk to. She didn’t even have a cat, since her building didn’t allow pets.

* * * *

The following week was a hub of activity in Avery’s neighborhood. A new business was opening up and the street was littered with work crews that seemed to be working around the clock. They must have a deadline only they know about. Avery had asked the other diner workers about it but no one seemed to know what was going on or what kind of business was opening up. With all the new work crews in the area, the diner was hopping and Avery had not had a chance to speak to the tall stranger that still came daily for coffee. Going home every evening, Avery still felt she was being shadowed but put it down to nerves, with all the new people in the area.

Standing in the center of the new reception area, Clay took a look around. If someone had told him that in two weeks they could take a rundown building and turn it into a sleek office space with a one-bedroom apartment above, he would have told them they were nuts. James had a way of getting things done on his timetable and this was proof.

From the plush carpet on both floors to the mahogany desks in all of the five offices, including reception, all that was needed was the outside sign proclaiming their business. James, with input from Clay and the other guys, had brought an office to life among the ruins surrounding them. It stood out like a sore thumb, but James thought it might get others thinking about the area and, maybe, interested in improving it.

Clay turned around when James strode through the front door. James was fresh from having his daily coffee at the diner. He looked happy, with a grin on his face, as if he was thinking good thoughts about someone, and Clay could bet who his thoughts were of.

“Now we have the office, but what are we going to do with it? I know we’re going to be a front for some behind-the-scenes activities, but what’re we actually going to offer or produce. We never did pin that down.”

“We are going to start a financial investment firm like my brother’s uptown. He does really well as we all know. If he can run one, I’m sure we can. After all, how hard could it be? Our first job is to find a receptionist. Know anyone who could use a job? It pays well and comes with a furnished apartment above.” James looked up at Clay with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “Let’s get our name over the door and open up for business.”

“Don’t we need an investment license to operate?” Clay always liked to be prepared for anything. “And what the hell do any of us know about stocks, bonds, or investments? I think we will need some operatives that know what they’re doing so we seem legit.”

“I thought about that and have already procured a license in association with Chase’s firm. He wasn’t too hot on the idea but he is going to cover us if anything really legit comes up. Let’s just say he was less than gracious but, being in this area, we are not stepping on his toes.

“I don’t think we’ll be asked too many questions. We always pretend to be someone else when on the job undercover, so this will be no different. As you can tell by looking around this area, it hasn’t been on anyone’s radar for a long time.” James always had the attitude that nothing was impossible once he made up his mind to do it, and this was just a new venture for him.

“Taylor First Rate Investments will be on the sign. I’ve already ordered it and it will arrive sometime after lunch.”

“Hey, that’s my name,” Clay said as he followed James to the large main office at the back of the building.

“I couldn’t use mine. My brother, while willing to help, does not want his firm to be too closely associated with this setup. Using my name would do that. I want Avery to keep thinking I’m a fellow down on my luck that needs a job, too. When I finally get her to talk to me, I don’t want to have to use someone else’s name.”

“That means I’m the boss?” Clay rubbed his hands together gleefully. “I don’t know if we have any openings for a fellow down on his luck. Do you have references?” Clay laughed at James’s stunned look.

“Well, being new to the area, I have to hire the right people. We don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about this business. If you’re going to work for me, don’t you think you better phone your tailor and at least get a suit?” Clay was now in full-out laughter. James always took the lead and it would look good for him to have to take instructions from someone else for a change. Clay thought this might just work out for his benefit. “Hey, I think the first thing I’ll do is give myself a raise.”

James just raised his eyebrows at the laughing Clay. “Like you need the money. Over the years we’ve made enough money to keep us all set for the rest of our lives. But if it floats your boat, go ahead, give yourself a raise. Just make sure the offer for the receptionist job is just padded enough so Avery will bite. I want her out of that apartment and diner as soon as possible so we can all look after her.”

Clay stopped laughing at James and thought back over the last 10 years. It had been a struggle for all of them at the beginning. Getting let go from the army had been a harsh blow to all their egos. They hadn’t done anything but follow orders James had received from the higher ups. But when the shit hit the fan, they were left holding the bag, and the discharges.

Their Intel had been flawed. The village they were to take over was supposed to be hiding an internationally known enemy the army wanted captured in the worst way. After the dust had cleared they saw it held nothing but a few women and children, no enemies. Angel had had a bad feeling that morning when the orders first came down. At his insistence, they stopped after only firing a few shots. Even so, one woman ended up injured. She had come out of the one bar that the small village had. She hadn’t looked like a woman with her hat pulled down over her eyes and wearing army fatigues in the enemy’s colors. Brad had winged her, thinking she was their target. How were they to know she was an undercover agent? Well, someone had known but hadn’t passed on the information to them. Thank God the woman had lived with damage being only to her shoulder. But the brass seemed to think they should have known. It was part of their job to be informed of all the operations going on in the area. Whoever had fucked up couldn’t be found. So being an elite covert unit, they had taken the fall.

At first they didn’t know what to do with their lives when they arrived back home. Their missions in the army had trained them well but their specialty was surveillance and stalking an enemy. James, always the group leader, had taken what money he had left from an inheritance, put it together with their meager savings and Braden Security was founded that day. It took a while but with each job and word of mouth, their reputation had grown and now they were known as the best. They were costly, but everyone seemed to think they got their money’s worth.

“I’ll pay you good, too. After all, I’m known for being a great boss to work with.”