Bare It All

“Yeah, probably. But I can handle myself. And maybe the plan is just for her to feel me out a little, to see if I’m onto them. The way I figure it, I can lead her on, admire her tattoo and tell her that I’ve been thinking of getting one, too. Maybe she’ll tell me what it means, but probably not. Either way, it’ll explain why I was at the parlor, looking around, maybe throw the hounds off the scent a little, you know?”

Though it had merit, Reese hated that plan. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a better one. “Normally I’d want you to sit on meeting with her, at least for a day or two. Give me time to look into it, maybe set up something so we could throw out a net and get everyone involved. Not just the muscle, but the main people, too.”

“Yeah, I know. And if everything wasn’t coming together this way, I’d agree. But with Cheryl calling, we need to gain some ground before Alice gets compromised.”

“That won’t happen.” Even thinking about it set Reese’s muscles in spasms and made his chest feel too tight. “I won’t let it.”

“I know.” Hands low on his hips, Rowdy said, “But I’ll be helping to keep an eye on her all the same.”

He surprised Rowdy by saying, “Appreciate it.” Hell, the way he felt right now, he wouldn’t mind having the National Guard standing at her door.

After everything Alice had been through, he knew he’d gladly give his own life to ensure she never got hurt again.

“I’ll hit up the tattoo parlor in a bit,” Rowdy said, unaware of his dark musings. “Then I’ll meet with DeeDee tonight and, hopefully, we’ll find out something useful before Cheryl calls Alice back.”

It was a horrible conflict for Reese. Never in his life had he turned a blind eye to injustice. But the idea of Cheryl reaching out to Alice made him sick with an urgent need to shield Alice from any and all possible danger—especially the danger posed in assisting a desperate young woman.

He couldn’t take the phone from Alice; not only wouldn’t she allow that, but it could be the only lifeline left to Cheryl. Neither could he insist on answering the call himself, because they all knew Cheryl was a tool being used to get to Alice.

His head throbbed, and his vision tried to narrow to Alice,  only Alice. He was a damned cop, a detective, and he had a duty to serve and protect.

But in every second, Alice dicked with his concentration.

When two of the flirting women walked past again, eyeing him without reserve, Reese gave them an absent nod of greeting.

They reacted as much over that as they had Rowdy’s attention, and he frowned. He preferred that they keep their sights on Rowdy and off him.

In an effort to focus, he said to Rowdy, “You know I should be paying you.”

Rowdy barked a disbelieving laugh. “Fuck that.”

But Reese couldn’t let it go. “Police work with civilians all the time. And we pay.”

“I said no.”

So damn proud. Off to the side, Reese saw the women plotting. Shit. Rowdy wasn’t the only one familiar with flirting females. Before Alice, he might have relished the fun distraction.

But now...it was a mere annoyance.

Before they interrupted, he said to Rowdy, his tone surly, “You think it’s any easier for me? You think I like asking for your help? That I like owing you? Well, I don’t.”

Taken aback by the quiet attack, Rowdy scowled. “Didn’t say that.”

“Then let me even it up a little.”

“Given the drug deals Avery told me about, it looks like you and Logan will already be lending me a hand. I can only do so much to keep out the criminal element.” He grinned, because not that long ago, he’d been considered part of that element. “The rest is up to the boys in blue.”

“That’s my job. It’s a given that I’ll be there for that.” He gave Rowdy a direct stare. “You know, with your background what it was, you might not realize this, but people—good people—like to lend a helping hand to those in their inner circle. And now, with Pepper marrying Logan, who happens to be my best friend, that circle includes you.”

“Inner circle, huh?”

“Whether you like it or not.”

With a half grin, Rowdy gave it considerable thought before making a quiet admission. “I have plans to renovate the bar. Right now, it’s pretty shitty. Buying it didn’t completely strap me, but it’s going to be tight for a while.” He gazed off at the playground area where kids kept the swings going high. “When I was solely responsible for Pepper, I couldn’t...”

“Cut it too close?” Reese offered. He knew that Rowdy had looked out for his sister in every way imaginable, including keeping a store of cash on hand in case they needed to make a fast getaway.

“Yeah.” The grin widened. “I never wanted to be caught without an escape plan.”

Because Pepper had depended on him.

But who could Rowdy depend on? Back then, no one.

At such a young age, a ton of worry had been dropped on his shoulders. He’d had to grow up fast, and overall, he’d done an inspiring job—with everything. “I’m impressed you had enough for a cash deal. Few could swing it. As to manual labor, count me in.”

“You like to sweat, do you?”

“Do I look like I avoid a workout?” Reese was big enough and muscled enough that not even Rowdy—who wasn’t a physical slouch himself—could downplay his strength.