“Frank probably already knows we’re here,” Lucky grumbled through Ace’s earpiece.

  Which was also true.

  “He’s obviously busy,” Ace replied, scanning the club, “or he’d be out here already. Let’s find Colton. If we have any problems, we’ll talk to Frank. Oh, and whoever Frank finds first gets to break the news.” His friends’ curses made him smile. “Let’s do this.”

  Ace liked Frank. A lot. The man often broke bread with the Kings, and together they drank to their mutual heartache, but as it turned out, Frank and Colton went way back. The two were close friends. If Frank had to choose between Colton and keeping his contract with Four Kings Security, no doubt Colton would win. Frank was as loyal as they came. Of course, Ace wasn’t above using that friendship to get Frank to cooperate. If Paxton didn’t know about the threats to his son until recently, chances were Frank probably didn’t know.

  They’d arrived at Colton’s Ponte Vedra mansion only to be informed by Asha, Colton’s household manager, that her employer wasn’t home. If that wasn’t bad enough, the man was out clubbing. No security. Not even his driver. They were not off to a good start.

  The heavy bass of the sensual beat reverberated in Ace’s chest, his heart seeming to pound along with the music as he waded through the sea of sweaty, gyrating bodies. Beautiful go-go boys with sinewy bodies danced on plinths raised high above the crowd, wearing nothing but glittering blue high-top sneakers and tiny sparkling blue shorts that accentuated their pert round asses. Their flawless-looking skin shimmered with pale blue glitter as they moved suggestively to the rhythm. Unable to help himself, Ace paused long enough to admire the sleek, dark-skinned beauty on the plinth closest to him, earning him a wink and a kiss blown his way from lush, lip gloss covered lips. Ace groaned and quickly reminded himself he was here for business, not pleasure.

  Walking through the crowd of scantily dressed men in various stages of undress—and drunkenness—was like walking into a bull pen with a huge target painted on his back. Hands slid over his arms, neck, face, and ass. If he stopped for too long, someone’s fingers would find their way into his hair. Men smiled at him, blew kisses, and murmured dirty promises. Sapphire Sands was not a club for window shopping. The backrooms weren’t filled with men chatting over drinks. The club encouraged guests to let their freak flags fly, offering total discretion. It was members only, and to be a member, you had to have major cash or clout. The four Kings held companywide membership, a perk offered by Frank, thanks to his contract with Four Kings Security, a contract that would continue as long as no laws were broken. The Kings didn’t involve themselves with businesses linked to illegal activities, which meant no drugs or solicitation allowed.

  Sex was certainly happening in all corners of the club, but it was consensual and no money exchanged hands. Frank Ramirez prided himself on running a tight ship.

  Getting through the crowd was slow, especially when Ace kept getting stopped by men hoping to hook up. Lucky’s voice came through his earpiece.

  “Have I mentioned lately how much I love my job?”

  Ace chuckled. “Remember you’re on the clock, so hands off the pretties.”

  “You suck.”

  “I do. Long and hard. But not right now.”

  “Dick.”

  “Really, Lucky?” Red laughed. “You know if you open that door, he’s going to walk right through it.”

  “This is like trying to find a needle in a—what do you call it? Hayloft,” Lucky grumbled.

  “You mean haystack,” Ace offered.

  “Yeah, that. Haystack. A very sexy, half-naked haystack. ¡Santo cielos! Perdóname, madresita mía.”

  “I don’t even want to know what you’ve found that you’re asking your mother for forgiveness. How about you find me Colton Connolly?”

  “Triplets, Ace. Triplets. Hola, mi amor. Ay, pero que belleza. ¿Sí? Yo también. Te lo prometo.”

  “Lucky,” Ace warned.

  “Right. Work.”

  It was like letting a wolf loose in a henhouse. Thankfully, Lucky valued his job, and his life, more than whatever orgy he was undoubtedly wishing he was in the middle of right now. No orgy was worth King’s wrath if he found out they’d fucked around while on the clock. Not that such a thing had ever happened, or would happen. As crazy as Ace drove King with his actions sometimes, he never crossed that line, the one that would put the Kings’ professionalism or reputation into question. They were too damned good at what they did to be distracted by a pretty face or spectacular ass. Ace came to an abrupt halt, and for the first time since opening Four Kings Security, he found himself repeating those words in his head.

  He’d found Colton Connolly.

  There was no missing him. Not because he was jaw-droppingly gorgeous with a face that screamed classic Hollywood and a body that tried to make Ace’s dick spontaneously combust, but because he was wearing a red shirt so blindingly bright—not to mention so tight it looked painted on—that it was impossible not to see him. The scarlet button-down shirt stood out against his tanned skin and black dress slacks. When he straightened to his full height, he towered over almost everyone. At six foot five, his body wasn’t bulky, but lean with a trim waist Ace could easily wrap his hands around, a waist currently being gripped by a heavily muscled man plastered to his back while a shorter man was pressed to his front. The man at his front wedged his hands between Colton’s ass and the other guy’s groin. Another five men danced around them, circling like sharks, waiting to get a piece of Colton. Mr. Colton Connolly clearly did not know the meaning of lying low.

  Ace pressed the PTT button on the concealed microphone clipped to the inside of his jacket sleeve. “I’ve got eyes on Colton. I’m going in. Stand by.”

  “Copy that,” Lucky replied.

  “Copy that,” Red echoed.

  Ace gently pushed men out of his way, his eyes on Colton, who moved his hips in a way that should be illegal. His lips were parted, and his arms were up and around the neck of the man behind him. Colton’s legs were impossibly long, and Ace could easily imagine them wrapped around him, those long fingers caressing, squeezing. Colton’s skin was slick with sweat, a wave of fair hair falling over his brow. The man oozed sex and sophistication.

  Okay, get ahold of yourself.

  Ace approached the men, and when he reached them, he spoke loud enough to be heard over the music. “Excuse me.” He stood just over the shoulder of the guy at Colton’s front, his height allowing Colton to see him. Their eyes met, and time slowed, everything going out of focus except for Colton, who stood bright and vibrant in front of him like some ethereal god. Fuck, he was stunning. Ace sucked in a sharp breath at the intensity of those striking blue-gray eyes, and the world came crashing back. Colton’s gaze dropped to Ace’s lips, and his tongue darted out to lick his bottom lip.

  “Oh yes, please.”

  Ace hadn’t expected the deep rumble dripping with sex that was Colton’s voice. It sent a shiver through him, and he found himself coughing into his hand to regain control.

  “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?”

  Colton shook his head, shouting over the music. “No, but you can dance with me.” He kissed the cheek of the man who’d been humping his leg, then pushed him to one side, grabbed Ace, and dragged him in front of him, their bodies pressed together. At six foot one, Ace was hardly a short man, but Colton had four inches on him, which was certainly a new experience. Ace needed to talk to the guy in private, or better yet, convince Colton to leave with him. He hoped Colton wasn’t the kind to cause a scene. Colton shoved his knee between Ace’s legs and grabbed his ass.

  Shit, the guy was stronger than he looked, and horny as hell, judging by the raging hard-on pressing into Ace.

  “Fuck.” Ace was so close he could feel Colton’s hot breath on his skin. He closed his hands around Colton’s wrists and moved the man’s hands away from his ass, bringing them up to trap them between them. Colton splayed his hands against Ace’s chest, his lips curled up sinfully.

  “Fucking comes later,” Colton purred into his ear, sucking Ace’s earlobe into his mouth.

  A tremor went through Ace, and he stiffened. This wasn’t happening. Whatever reaction he was having to this man had to stop. Colton was a client. His safety was paramount. Ace flipped the switch and stepped back, Colton’s wrists still in his grip. When he spoke, his voice brooked no argument.

  “Mr. Connolly, I’m not here to dance. I need to speak with you. It’s important.”

  “Do we know each other?” Colton raked his lustful gaze over Ace. His eyes were glassy, and his movements made it clear he was more than a little drunk. “I would definitely remember you, handsome. My God, look at your eyes. There’s like three different colors in them. I bet you hear how beautiful they are all the time. No, we definitely haven’t met, or I would have been all over that,” he said, motioning to Ace’s general person. “I’d really like to get my hands on you.”

  Damn. Okay. No. “Colton, my name is Ace. I’m from Four Kings Security. Your father hired me to protect you.”

  It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water on Colton, and those stunning eyes turned to steel. “My father sent you?” Colton’s voice was clipped, and he jerked his wrists from Ace’s hold. He crowded Ace, jabbing a finger against his chest.

  It took everything Ace had not to grab that finger and drop Colton to his knees, though he’d bet the man would look delicious on his knees. Stop it.

  “I’ll tell you what I told my father. I don’t need babysitting,” Colton spat out. “And I sure as shit won’t allow a bunch of trigger-happy mall cops to tell me what to do.”

  Ace refused to be baited. “Colton, your father is concerned about your safety, so he hired the best. I promise you, we’ll get through this, but I need you to come with me.”

  “Fuck off,” Colton snarled, turning to leave, but Ace caught his arm. Colton whipped around, and Ace expected him to throw a punch. Instead, Colton smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. Ace braced himself as Colton slid his hands up Ace’s chest, his voice husky as he spoke into Ace’s ear. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”

  Ace shook his head. “Not without you.”

  “You want to guard my body?” Colton took hold of Ace’s hand and pressed it to the rock-hard cock straining against his dress pants. “What else do you want to do to my body?” He slid his other hand slowly down Ace’s chest toward his belt. “Is it included with your services, or does my father have to pay you extra?”

  Ace pushed Colton away from him, ignoring Colton’s breathy laugh. Flipping Ace off, Colton turned and headed through the crowd. Ace stayed close to him. He hit his microphone’s PTT button.

  “I’ve got Colton. He’s not cooperating. Red, you know what to do. Lucky, meet me by the door. I’ll be there with Colton as soon as I can. Everyone else, remain in position, continue to secure the area, and keep an eye out for Frank.”

  Ace received immediate confirmation from his team. The last thing they needed was for Colton to cause a scene, but it was looking more likely with every step he took away from Ace. If someone hired Four Kings, they were serious about their protection, and although clients weren’t thrilled about the intrusion into their lives, they understood it was necessary and cooperated fully. Colton didn’t want their protection, and he clearly had no intention of cooperating.

  Colton slipped between two men at the bar, where he was served immediately, the barman’s smile wide as he passed Colton a glass of amber liquid. He leaned in to say something to Colton, who laughed and said something in return, clearly flirting. Colton downed the liquid in one gulp as the large man to Colton’s left turned to face him, eyes darkening with lust as he raked his gaze over Colton.

  “Hey, sexy.” The man’s muscles had muscles, his white T-shirt straining over bulging biceps. He leaned in close and reached for Colton. Ace snatched his wrist before he could make contact.

  “Hands off,” Ace warned, releasing the guy when he jerked his arm away.

  “He with you?” the guy asked Colton, his eyes on Ace.

  Colton threw back a shot of something. He smacked his lips together, then ordered another before he turned his attention to the big man and slid a hand up the guy’s broad chest. “Ignore him. He’s nobody.”

  “Kinda pissed for a nobody,” the guy said, glancing at Ace who stood silent and still, waiting.

  “He’s my bodyguard.”

  The guy laughed. “That right? Well, if you don’t want to be his Whitney, you can sure as hell be mine.”

  Colton laughed. He slipped his arms around the guy, who whispered something in Colton’s ear. Colton nodded, and the man licked his lips, his hands gliding around to grab Colton’s round ass, making Colton groan.

  “We need to go,” Ace said, taking hold of Colton’s arm. Colton pulled himself out of Ace’s grasp and took the large man’s hand in his, but instead of leaving, he leaned in to murmur in Ace’s ear.

  “I’m not going anywhere yet. Unless you’d like to suck my dick instead. No? Then fuck off.”

  Ace didn’t know what pissed him off more, the fact Colton thought he could talk like that to him or how fucking turned on it made him.

  Colton grinned knowingly. “Coming?”

  Ace gritted his teeth, his hands balled into fists at his side.

  “I didn’t think so.”

  If that’s how Colton wanted to play it, Ace was all in. He followed the two men toward the back of the club, through a set of thick black curtains that led to a narrow hall with rows of curtained-off sections to each side. The music drowned out the moans and grunts. Colton led his hookup into an empty room, releasing the man’s hand before he turned to Ace, who’d taken up position outside to wait.

  “Oh no. That won’t do. What if he tries to hurt me?” By this point, Colton’s words were slurring. Despite his soft tone, his eyes were filled with anger. “Now be a good little mall cop and stand inside the curtain.”

  Ace stood guard inside the now closed curtain, his jaw clenched tight as Colton allowed himself to be pushed up against the far wall. Colton moaned as the man slobbered all over him, kissing his neck, under his jaw, his face. Colton put his arms up above his head, his eyes on Ace as the man unfastened Colton’s pants, and yanked them down, moaning at the skintight red boxer-briefs. He pulled them down, and Ace looked away before he could see anything. He ignored Colton’s chuckle. It was quickly followed by a decadent moan. The noises that followed had Ace clenching his jaw so tight he was afraid he’d break something. Either Colton was getting the best fucking blow job in the history of blow jobs, or he was purposefully playing it up to piss off Ace. If Ace had to guess, he would say the latter.

  “Oh fuck, yeah. Suck my dick just like that. Oh God, your tongue feels amazing on my balls.”

  Instead of getting mad, Ace had to fight back a laugh. He had to give it to Colton. The guy was a spitfire. He was determined to get his way. Little shit. Ace schooled his expression as he focused on the black wall ahead of him, and not on Colton writhing, gasping, and groaning on his right. It was like listening to porn. Ace had his hands clamped in front of his groin. He steadied his breathing and focused on his job. Whatever reaction Colton was hoping to get out of Ace, he wasn’t getting it, and it became obvious when he shouted dramatically.

  “Oh God, I’m going to come!”

  Ace pressed his lips together in a thin line to keep from barking out a laugh. Well, someone was a bit of a diva.

  “You gotta let me fuck you.”

  Colton hummed thoughtfully before looking to Ace. “Hey, got a condom?”

  Ace knew exactly what Colton was trying to do, and it might have worked on someone else, but not him. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a condom and a packet of lube, and tossed both over his shoulder as he turned toward the curtain.

  “Don’t be long. Car’s waiting.” Ace reached for the curtain as Colton called out.

  “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

  Ace concealed his smile. “Outside. My job is to protect you, not help you get off.”

  “Don’t you walk away from me,” Colton said indignantly, coming to stand in front of Ace. He zipped his pants up, his red shirt half-in, half-out of his waistband. He was so riled up, he was practically vibrating. Colton’s skin was almost as red as his shirt, and he raked a hand through his already disheveled hair.

  Ace couldn’t help his chuckle. Looked like Mr. Colton Connolly was a little too used to getting his way.

  “Are you laughing at me?” Colton fumed.

  “I’m amused you think I take orders from anyone, much less you.”

  Colton’s eyes went wide before he stumbled forward and poked Ace in the shoulder. “You’re fired.”

  “That’s the beauty of contracts. They’re binding. You can’t fire me. Only your father can.” Ace gave Colton his best shit-eating grin. “Now, you have a good time. Oh, hold on.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small pack of tissues. “Here you go.”

  If looks could kill, Ace would have disintegrated then and there.

  Colton spun on his heels and stormed off. Ace quickly followed, turning to shrug apologetically to the big guy, who stood wondering what the hell was going on. Colton thundered back into the main part of the club and headed straight for the bar. Ace caught his arm before he could reach it.

  “I think you’ve had enough. Time to go.”

  “You’re right. I have had enough. Enough of you.” Colton tried to pull himself out of Ace’s grip, and maybe if he wasn’t so drunk he might have actually managed it, instead of tripping over his own feet. Ace took hold of Colton’s other arm to steady him. “Get your hands off me.”

  Ace sighed. “Colton, I’m here to help.”

  Since he couldn’t get away from Ace, Colton changed tactics, pressing his body to Ace’s. “I’ve heard about you Kings. Bunch of has-beens who couldn’t cut it in Special Ops turned security guards.”

  Ace slammed Colton up against the wall. “Now you listen to me, because I’m only going to say this once. You fuck with me all you want, but you say one goddamn word about my brothers, and the only threat you’re going to have to fear is me.”