Bare It All

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

* * *

ALICE’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.”

Alice took immediate exception to that. “I was never timid.” Moving forward a step, her thumb to her chest, she said, “I’m the one who—”

Reese said, “Alice, no.”

She glanced back at Rowdy and Dash, both brimming with curiosity, and pinched her lips together.

“When was the last time you saw her?”

Trace’s brows went up. “She hasn’t told you?”

Worried, Alice shook her head. “Only as much as I had to.”

Trace took that in, then made a decision. “Let’s get through this, and then we can talk. I’ll tell you anything you need to know.”

“Yeah.” Reese nodded. “You will. But for now, tell me why you’re here. What do you think we have to get through?”

At the same time, Trace sat forward. “You have a problem.”

“Several, in fact.” Reese lowered the gun, but even when he reached out to Alice, he didn’t take his gaze off the intruder.

Full of trust, maybe even relief, Alice put her hand in his and moved to his side.

“So, seriously,” Dash said, without Rowdy’s suspicion. “Who are you? Some type of Rambo?”

Scrutinizing first Dash and then, more thoroughly, Rowdy, Trace held silent.

Understanding his dilemma, Reese assured him, “They’re trustworthy.”

“You sure about that?”

As thorough as Trace appeared to be, he’d surely already done his own background checks. If he was worried about Rowdy, he needn’t be. “One thousand percent.”

Rowdy couldn’t quite hide his discomfort with that much faith.

Mouth tipping in a barely there smile, Trace said, “Your more colorful friend seems to have doubts.”

Reese didn’t have to look to know who Trace meant. “He’s still coming to grips with it himself. But I’d trust him with my life.” He pulled Alice closer. “Or hers.”

“All right then.” He slid his enigmatic gaze to Reese. “Tell him whatever you like.”

Alice’s hand squeezed his—a silent request that he not expose Trace more than necessary.

Shit. Returning the gun to his holster, Reese flagged Rowdy and Dash forward. “We might as well sit down.”

Dash wasted no time in grabbing a seat. “So, what is it? Hired mercenary? Military elite?”

Keeping the explanation short, sweet and to the point, Reese said, “He helped Alice escape after she was taken by a human trafficker.”

Dash went still and silent. “No shit?”

Trace smiled. “More like Alice helped me when I made moves to shut down the whole sick enterprise. She’s incredibly resilient, and she has more courage than most, along with a phenomenal amount of initiative.”

As if the praise flustered her, Alice went bright red. “You know that’s not true.”

“I don’t lie,” Trace said. “And I don’t exaggerate.”

“Oh, well...thank you.”

Warm with pride, feeling incredibly possessive, Reese kissed her temple.

“Supposedly, no one ever gets to see you.” Rowdy crossed his arms over his chest. “So, what are you doing here now?”

Reese answered before Trace could. “We were followed today.”

Lifting a brow, Trace showed his surprise. “You knew?”

“I’m not incompetent.”

Brows now furrowed, Trace said, “Obviously not.”

“Who followed us?” Rowdy shifted his gaze from Trace to Reese. “From where?”

“A woman. She was at the scene.” Reese sat on the arm of the chair and patted his thigh. Cash immediately came to him. Alice stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders, silently supportive. “She followed us to the station, and though I didn’t see her after we left, I’m assuming she might’ve followed us here, too?”

“Who is she?”

“Your date for the night.” Trace sat forward, forearms on his thighs, hands loosely laced together. “It’s more than probable that someone plans to come in and grab Alice while you’re distracted at the bar.”

That drew Rowdy back. “So, I’m not the mark?”

“Hard to tell. I wouldn’t discount any danger toward you. But I think it’s more likely they’re after her.”

“Because she saw Hickson. She’s a witness.” Accepting the reach of Trace’s influence, Reese went cold inside.

Trace gave an affirmative nod.

Because he hadn’t been privy to all the details Alice had shared, Rowdy grew more suspicious. “You know all this, how?”