“Some psychopath is threatening you to the point your father felt the need to hire one of the best security companies in the state, and you expect me to believe it’s nothing? It is not nothing.” She let out a sigh. “Honey, it’s okay to be scared.”

  “I’m not scared,” Colton snapped. “I’m livid. I will not let anyone control me or my life. Not Dad and not some sick fuck!”

  “Colton, please.”

  He took another sip of his latte, his gaze going out the window, and he gritted his teeth at the uniformed figures scattered around his property. God only knew how many more there were. Did his father hire an entire goddamn army? “My house is crawling with armed men.”

  She paused before speaking up, her tone playful. “You always did like a man in uniform.”

  Colton arched an eyebrow despite the fact his mother couldn’t see him. “Excuse me?”

  “Any of them sexy?”

  As she said the words, Ace appeared outside his balcony doors. “No, they’re arrogant, infuriating, and make me want to hit something,” Colton ground out through his teeth.

  Ace motioned to himself then inside the office. Colton flipped him off. To his horror, Ace opened the door. Are you kidding me? Damn it. He must have forgotten to lock it.

  “Mom, I need to go.”

  “Honey, please, have a little faith in your father.”

  Colton promised to call her back later, then hung up. He marched over to Ace, until their chests were nearly touching. “Get the hell out of my office.”

  Ace pointed down to where he stood outside the doorframe. “I’m not in your office. Also, we need to have a talk about you leaving doors unlocked.”

  Unbelievable! He was going to strangle the man’s thick tanned neck. “I’m pretty sure I fired you.”

  “Yeah, we’ve been over that, remember? You can’t fire me.”

  “I didn’t agree to this.”

  “You don’t have to. It’s tied to your contract with Connolly Maritime. You know very well they’re within their right to mandate executive protection for any company asset at risk.”

  “You think you’re so damn clever,” Colton sneered, heading for the door. “Well, you and your men won’t be staying. My father is overreacting. I’m going down there to speak with him, and you’ll be packing your things when we get back.” The contract he’d read stated Ace would be providing personal round-the-clock executive protection to Colton, meaning the man would be in his face practically every waking hour every day for who the hell knew how long.

  “Colton, can we please discuss this? Just a few minutes, and I can explain why we want to make the changes I mentioned earlier. We’re not trying to take over your life. I know it may feel that way, but all we want to do is make sure you’re as secure as possible. Why are you so against this?”

  Colton threw open his office door. “I don’t have to explain myself to anyone, much less you.” On the way to the front door, he did his best to ignore the infestation in his house. They were all over the damned place. He threw open the front door, his jaw dropping at the sight of Ace sitting on the concrete wall lining the tile steps, wearing aviator sunglasses, and a huge grin. How the hell had he gotten there ahead of him? He wanted to punch that stupid shit-eating grin off his stupidly handsome face.

  “Good morning, Colton. Where would you like me to drive you this fine morning? I would recommend some breakfast first. It’ll help with that nasty hangover.”

  Colton slammed the door behind him and stomped down the steps, then stopped in front of Ace. He opened his mouth to tell Ace what he could do with his suggestions when his stomach rumbled loudly.

  “There’s this little hole-in-the-wall café on the way that does a killer guacamole breakfast sandwich stack on sourdough bread. It’s just what you need.”

  “You have no idea what I need,” Colton snapped. His stomach growled again, and Ace chuckled.

  “Maybe, but I know what your stomach needs. How about it?”

  “Fine. If it’ll get you off my back.”

  Ace opened his mouth to reply but seemed to think better of it. Colton narrowed his eyes. He stepped away, and Ace stood. Despite the few inches Colton had on him, he found himself taking an additional step back. The all-black outfit added to the formidable air Ace gave off. His posture and poise screamed former military. It would seem you could take the man out of the military, but you couldn’t take the military out of the man. Ace bowed dramatically before motioning toward the SUV parked in the driveway.

  Colton turned on his heels and stalked over to the vehicle, then crossed his arms over his chest when Ace opened the back door for him. The more Ace smiled, the more aggravated Colton became. He climbed in and fastened his seatbelt. Damn it. He should have gone around and sat behind the driver’s seat so he wouldn’t have to see Ace. It was fine. He was fine. He’d only have to put up with it for a few more hours until he convinced his father to cancel that ridiculous contract.

  As they headed to wherever Ace was taking him, Colton was informed his household manager and his driver had been given paid vacations. Either Ace, Red, or Lucky would take over the driving using one of their specially equipped SUVs. The car was fitted with ballistic windows, run-flat tires, and a panic button. It was packed with emergency supplies, from a map with clearly marked escape routes stashed in the glove compartment, to food, water, first aid kit, a satellite phone, and radiation detector. In the trunk were a couple of fold-up bikes, and it even had an emergency cell phone hidden in the back in case someone tried to kidnap him using the car and tossed him in the back. The Kings seemed to be prepared for a host of terrifying scenarios Colton preferred not to think about.

  Traffic wasn’t too awful, and Colton managed to distract himself with the passing scenery outside the SUV windows. The sun was shining bright, the heat and humidity enough to send tendrils of sweat trickling down his back if he stood outside too long. As a native Floridian, his out-of-state friends teased him, saying he should have been used to the heat by now, but nope. He’d never get used to Florida heat and humidity. It was what it was, and he had to bear it like everyone else. Sometimes it was tolerable, and sometimes he wished he could conduct business from inside a pool of ice water.

  When they arrived at their destination and Ace opened the door for him, Colton stepped down, stunned by the sight of the street in front of him. No parking, only dirt and asphalt in front of the small building.

  “This is it?” Colton scanned the street, some of which was lined with small businesses that were either freshly painted and gave off a bit of a fifties vibe or looked as if they’d been closed for years. Across from the café was an apartment complex, and next door was a brick extension with one closed window. “This is like the town that almost was.”

  Ace chuckled. “Yeah, it’s not the most glamorous street, but trust me. The breakfast sandwiches are amazing.” He held the door open, and Colton walked in, removing his sunglasses so he could get a good look at the place.

  The man hadn’t been kidding when he said hole-in-the-wall. It resembled the inside of someone’s kitchen. Old doors lined the counter, and the hanging lights were made of colanders. The tables and chairs were mismatched, and one wall had a section cut out with wood slats running from top to bottom, its wooden pegs displaying various loaves of bread and bagels. In front of it, a display case held several choices of pastries and cake slices. Ace sauntered up to the young woman behind the counter, removed his sunglasses, and flashed that perfect smile.

  “Hi, Donna. How are you this beautiful morning?”

  The young woman blushed and giggled. “It’s even better now that you’re here. What can I get you, Ace?”

  “Two of those mouthwatering guacamole stacks, and two lattes. I’ll take mine iced.” He looked over at Colton. “Iced or hot?”

  Colton narrowed his eyes. “Now you’re ordering my food for me?”

  Ace held his hands up in surrender. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s my favorite, and I got a little excited. I overstepped.” Ace lowered his hands. “What would you like, Colton?”

  “Hm.” Colton took his time looking over the menu before finally smiling at Donna. “The guacamole stack sounds delicious. I’ll have that. And a latte. Iced, please.”

  Ace hung his head, and shook it, a smile tugging at his lips in the corner.

  Donna rang Ace up, and he winked at her. “We’re going to eat out in the garden.” He paused and glanced in Colton’s direction. “Is that okay?”

  Colton held back a smile. “That’s fine.”

  With a smile, Donna disappeared to where Colton assumed the kitchen was.

  “This way,” Ace said, ushering him toward a door at the end of the room.

  Colton lowered his sunglasses, and stepped outside, pleasantly surprised by the garden. It was very pretty, enclosed by a wooden fence, a large tree on one end, and lots of shrubbery and flowers surrounding the area. Two long picnic tables lined one side of the garden, light blue folded chairs sitting on either side and a blue umbrella to keep away the sun. Across from the picnic table was a smaller round table and another picnic table. Colton took a seat at the small round table, and Ace sat across from him. To their right, next to the tree, was a doghouse, and Colton couldn’t help his grin when a tall slender beauty with a shiny gray coat and big brown eyes trotted over to him and laid her head on his lap, her slim tail wagging happily.

  “Well, hello there, beautiful.” He petted her head, scratching behind her ears, laughing as her tail-wagging had her entire butt moving.

  “Looks like Misty’s found herself a new friend,” Donna said on her way over, a mason jar with iced coffee in each hand. She placed their drinks on the table, and Colton thanked her.

  “She’s gorgeous. Yes, you are. You are,” Colton cooed, rubbing her fur.

  “She’s an Italian greyhound, and loves attention.”

  “And she will get all the attention.” Colton smiled brightly at Donna, who let out a little gasp before turning to face Ace and not-so discreetly holding her thumbs up.

  Ace laughed but didn’t deny what she was insinuating. Before Colton could speak up, Donna whirled around and skipped back inside. Colton glared at him.

  “Even though your sunglasses are mirrored—a detail you seem to have forgotten—I know you’re giving me the skunk eye.”

  Colton moved his sunglasses to the top of his head and glared some more. “Better?”

  “Your eyes are the same color as her fur right now. Stormy and stunning.”

  Colton straightened. “Are you flirting?”

  “Complimenting. Are we not at that stage in our relationship?”

  “We’re not at any stage because we have no relationship,” Colton hissed.

  “Really?” The wicked look that came into Ace’s eyes gave Colton pause. “I don’t know. I mean, you grabbed my ass, rubbed up against me, and put my hand to your dick. I would say that constitutes as something.”

  Oh. My. God.

  Ace let out a bark of laughter. “Oh shit, you don’t remember, do you?”

  It couldn’t—he wouldn’t—oh my God. Colton’s face tried to set itself on fire. “That can't be right.”

  “About you groping me, coming on to me, or asking me if I wanted to suck your dick?”

  Colton covered Misty’s ears. “Do you mind?”

  “Not really.”

  Ace took a sip of his latte before leaning his elbows on the table. “Before I told you who I was, you came on to me, pulled me against you, rubbed up against me, and grabbed my ass. After you knew who I was, you thought you’d make me go away by trying to make me uncomfortable with your sexuality. You put on a little porn show, remember?”

  “I did no such thing!” Jesus, he was suddenly sweltering. He was about to deny everything profusely, but then he recalled a man he didn’t know on his knees in front of him. It all came crashing back, and Colton gasped.

  “There it is.” Ace chuckled before taking another sip of his iced coffee.

  Colton quickly lowered his sunglasses and turned away, ignoring Ace’s laughter. His heart hammered in his chest, and he jumped to his feet, pacing the floor.

  “Oh God.” He’d been all over Ace, but how was he supposed to have known? When he first laid eyes on Ace, his dick had taken over, liking what it saw. He’d assumed Ace was there for a good time or to hook up, like all the other men who’d danced with him.

  “Hey, whoa, it’s no big deal,” Ace assured him, gently taking hold of his arms and stopping his pacing. He moved Colton’s sunglasses up to his head, and Colton couldn’t even look Ace in the eye. “You’re really upset about this. Why?”

  “My behavior was completely inappropriate and unacceptable.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Shit. After threatening that vile man for what he did to Joshua, I go and do something just as horrible.”

  “I don’t understand.” Donna headed for them with their sandwiches, and Ace released him. “Come on, sit and talk to me.”

  Colton nodded, not trusting himself to speak yet. He thanked Donna for his meal and took another sip of his coffee. His stomach rumbled, and Ace pointed to the sandwich in front of him. “Eat something first.”

  “I think I lost my appetite,” Colton murmured. “I threatened to ruin a man for trying to force a young man to have sex, and—”

  “And please tell me you’re not about to compare yourself to that asshole.”

  Colton was taken aback by the conviction in Ace’s tone and the anger in his eyes.

  “Yeah, you were drunk and stupid, but you didn’t make me do anything, Colton. No one can make me do anything I don’t want to. Trust me.” Ace leaned forward, his eyes never leaving Colton’s. “You thought I was another guy looking to get in your pants, and after that, you didn’t do anything I couldn’t handle. I went along with your little game because I wanted to. I needed to get a read on you, and I did.” He sat back and bit into his sandwich, then talked through a mouthful of it. “Eat.”

  Colton wasn’t a hundred percent convinced, and he felt miserable about what he’d done, but if Ace said he was okay, Colton would take his word for it. “Fine, but I apologize regardless.”

  “Apology accepted,” Ace garbled around his food. “Eat your sandwich.”

  “Fine.” Colton cut his sandwich in half before picking one side up and taking a large bite. He moaned at the explosion of tastes in his mouth.

  “Right?”

  Ace looked so damned happy that Colton liked it, and in all honesty, it was damned good. His headache pulsed a little less, and he no longer felt sick to his stomach. It was so strange eating a casual meal with Ace. He knew nothing about this man other than what he’d heard. Plenty of his friends and business associates had hired Four Kings Security at one point or another. The private security company worked everything from executive protection to corporate espionage. They were one of the largest and most prestigious security companies in the state. All he knew was what he’d read in articles or found online, all public information about the six ex-Special Forces soldiers who retired from the military, four of them opening a private security company together and bringing in trusted and highly trained personnel, many of them ex-military or law enforcement.

  From what Colton had read, the four Kings had earned their nicknames back during their military service, each one nicknamed after a playing card suit, namely the king cards. Ace was nicknamed after the king of spades. Lucky, the king of clubs. Red, the king of hearts. And King, the king of diamonds. Why they’d been given the nicknames was anyone’s guess. When interviewed, the Kings refused to answer the question directly, merely stating it was personal and meaningful to them, enough for them to brand an entire company around those names. Although all four Kings owned the company, Ward “King” Kingston was the man in charge, which Colton found very interesting. Regardless, Colton would acknowledge his father had hired the best, but that didn’t mean he was going to accept it.

  Traffic was light on I-295 N, and they reached Connolly Maritime in less than half an hour. Colton was about to instruct Ace where to park when Ace turned right, driving straight to Colton’s designated spot inside the employee parking lot. The fact Ace knew where his parking spot was shouldn’t have pissed him off as much as it did. He threw open the door, got out, and slammed the door behind him, not waiting for Ace before he stormed across the walkway toward the building’s entrance. He went to open the door, but Ace beat him to it and opened it for him with a big grin.

  Inside the lobby, Oscar greeted him from behind the marble security desk. “Good morning, Mr. Connolly.”

  “Good morning, Oscar.”

  Oscar cleared his throat and pointed to the small device in front of him. Colton frowned down at it.

  “What is it?”

  “Thumbprint scan. New security measures,” Ace said before smiling at Oscar. “Good morning, Oscar.”

  Oscar nodded. “Good morning, Mr. Sharpe.”

  “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Colton rounded on Ace. “Who gave you the authority to make changes in my company?” Ace opened his mouth, but Colton held up a hand. “Let me guess. My father.”

  Ace smiled ruefully before putting his thumb to the pad. A little green light accompanied a beep. With a frustrated growl, Colton jabbed his thumb against the pad. As soon as the green light appeared and it beeped, Colton headed for the private elevator that led up to the executive suites, ignoring Ace thanking Oscar for his good work on implementing the new security measures. Maybe Colton could catch the elevator before Ace reached him. He swiped his keycard, then repeatedly pushed the call button.

  “Come on.”

  The doors opened, and Colton quickly stepped in. He turned, and Ace was there. Damn it. How did the guy do that? It’s like he materialized from thin air to torment Colton. Ace stood beside him, and Colton tapped his fingers against his leg. Thankfully, Ace remained silent. As soon as they reached the top floor, Colton thundered out of the elevator and headed straight for his father’s office. No one stopped him or greeted him, most likely due to the murderous look he knew he was sporting. His father’s door was open, and he glanced up from his paperwork. Colton turned to close the door, intending to leave Ace outside, but Ace was already in the office.