“Get to Afina and make sure she’s safe. Don’t blow your covers. If she needs rescuing or something, get the bouncers.”

  “Got it.”

  Avery ended the call and stood up from the back porch of his house. He grabbed onto the railing. He couldn’t go there tonight. It wasn’t his job to do surveillance, but knowing that Afina was somehow involved or, at minimum knew these men, was not sitting right with him. He liked her. Hell, he wanted her, but her brother and cousins hated him, and so did some of her friends just for him being involved in Internal Affairs. Never mind the personal situation that occurred nearly a year ago. It was bullshit, but worse right now was the fear, the disappointment that Afina could be involved with something illegal.

  “Fuck.” He ran his fingers through his wavy brown hair. She was attracted to him, too. He kissed her that night they were out at a bar by the marina. She should have been in his bed, and he knew if she was, then she still would be in his life, and be his woman. They both were drinking and bumped into one another, started talking. Hell, he leaned down to kiss her, then things progressed. They were going to leave together, and she stopped him. Blamed it on her brother and cousin. Maybe that was bullshit. Maybe she was already involved with something illegal and felt guilty. He needed to know what the fuck was going on. He glanced at his cell phone. Nothing from Connor. What the hell was going on?

  “Hey, what’s going up?”

  He turned to see his brother Saber by the doorway. He exhaled.

  “What do you need?”

  Avery thought about it only a second before he spoke.

  “Your skills.”

  Saber squinted. He was a computer genius, was in the military for years before he got injured as a mercenary last year. He was now working computer projects for the government and CIA on a per case basis. He had specific skills but could do anything.

  “It’s unofficial. I got a call, and something isn’t sitting right with me. I want answers because it…well…” He didn’t want to tell him it had to do with Afina. His three brothers knew who she was. She piqued their interests, but when she declined Avery they basically thought she was stuck-up and not right for them. This could make them like her less and trust her even less. He felt guilty, and he shouldn’t feel that way. He wasn’t the one hanging out with a dirty cop, and now a known drug dealer who hid behind his cigar bar and restaurant by the water.

  “Who is it?”

  “Afina.”

  “What?”

  “Just, come on, and help me out. Something is wrong here, and I want to know what it is.”

  “Son of a bitch, wait until Beck and Brick find out.”

  “There’s nothing to find out, and I need this done discreetly. She isn’t part of this investigation.”

  “Investigation? You mean with that dirty cop and his partner?”

  “Yes.”

  Saber stopped him. “Wait. Before we do this, are you going to take whatever information I get and make a smart decision?”

  “All depends on what we find out. At minimum, I’m going to see her, as soon as possible.”

  “I know you like her. A lot, but dirty cops, and other shit? Please think about this.”

  “I will. Just get me what you need.”

  “How deeply am I digging?”

  “Fuck it, all you possibly can get. When I confront her, I don’t want any surprises.”

  * * * *

  Afina was so angry. How dare Gordon grab her ass and whisper into her ear that she shouldn’t be hanging out with pigs. That she had too much class. Well, how the hell did he even know Gains and Ray? What business was it of his anyway?

  What she hadn’t expected as she growled and turned was to see Gordon there. He had his hands on his hips, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Don’t fucking deck me. I was trying to help you out.”

  “Help me out? By grabbing my ass, Gordon?” She raised her voice at him.

  “Well, you’re hanging out with pigs. Those dicks aren’t real men, and I missed you.”

  “What are you even doing in a place that is frequented by cops?”

  “Anyone can hang here. I was actually meeting someone. So how do you know those cops?”

  “Better question is, how do you?” He was silent and squinted at her.

  He eyed her over.

  “You look hotter than ever.”

  “Don’t.”

  “My brother fucked up with you. Doesn’t mean I would.”

  She laughed, but inside she was shaking. She knew what kind of guy Gordon was and he put his brother Jake to shame, especially with the ladies. He was abusive verbally and physically, and he made demands on his women. She was embarrassed to know him.

  “I’m not talking to you.” She went to walk by him, but he grabbed her wrist. She gasped, and he pulled her in front of him and away from any prying eyes.

  “It’s been a long time.” He took in the sight of her from eyes to breasts. “You look so fucking hot. Jake would die if he saw you.”

  She stared at him, and knew what this man was capable of. She didn’t even want anyone to see her talking to him, or they might think she was doing something illegal. Maybe that was how he knew Gains. Maybe Gains arrested him or knew of his illegal activities.

  “Let go of my wrist,” she said to him. He reached up and stroked her jaw. When she went to turn, he gripped it and narrowed his eyes at her.

  “Don’t know how my brother fucked things up with you, but I sure as shit wouldn’t have.”

  “You never had a chance with me and neither did he, especially when I found out what illegal shit he was involved in. It nearly ruined my life.”

  “Illegal shit. Honey, nowadays everyone has an angle. You’re just too fucking sweet and naïve to see it.” He released her jaw but not before stroking it. “You need looking after.”

  “I need…to go.” He stared at her when two bouncers approached.

  “Is there a problem over here?” one asked, and Gordon released her.

  He gave her a wink. “Until we meet again baby.” He licked his lips, and she crossed her arms in front of her chest as he walked by the bouncers.

  “You okay?” one asked.

  “Now I am. Thank you for that,” she said to them.

  “No problem, and if you need us to walk you out, honey, we’ll do it no problem,” the other guy said and winked. She was annoyed at that. To one second be restrained and treated like some sexual object to them, be assisted, and those same men treated her just as badly with words and eyes alone. She exhaled and looked up to see Gains there.

  “What the fuck happened? Those assholes stood in my way to getting to you. Are you okay?” he asked and caressed her arms.

  “I’m fine, and it was nothing.”

  “Nothing? How the fuck do you know a guy like Gordon?” he questioned her, making her feel like she was guilty of something.

  Meanwhile she wasn’t. She got her attitude up though. “I could ask you the same question.” She stepped back. He released her, and she stared up at him.

  “How the fuck do you think I know him? I’m a detective. We know the criminals, and they know us.”

  She lost her attitude. She was on the defensive because she did feel guilty. For dating Jake and being so stupid to not realize he was making a lot of money, and it wasn’t as a business entrepreneur. “I knew his brother. Long story but I stopped hanging out with them when I found out about their little side operations.”

  “Oh shit.” He looked away, and she didn’t know why she felt compelled to make things right and have Gains not think badly of her. She really didn’t even like him that much. He was a good guy though, and this evening showed that.

  “Let’s just forget this nonsense and get back to our friends. We were enjoying things.” He reached out and cupped her cheek. “Are you enjoying spending time with me?” he asked, closing the space between them.

  “Of course I am,” she said, and he cupped her cheeks. She covered his hands with hers.

  “Good.” He lowered down and kissed her. She felt so confused, so desensitized to feelings that she wasn’t sure if she liked it or if it was just so long since a man kissed her that she sort of needed it. She pulled back, and he slowly released her lips.

  “Gains, I—”

  He covered her lips with a finger.

  “Forget it. You said slow, and this isn’t a date but a meeting on mutual ground with friends. Let’s go back and join them, and I’ll work on you accepting a real date with me.”

  They headed back, and as she looked around the place she felt like eyes were on her. Like she was busted for doing something wrong when she didn’t. It was the oddest thing. Maybe because if her brother and cousins found out about Gordon grabbing her and saying the things he said to her that they would flip? They don’t need to know. No one did. She would stick around a little longer and then head home early. It was better that way.

  Chapter 2

  “What are you going to do?” Saber asked Avery. They were getting ready to go to Corporal’s for Ghost’s birthday party. As Coast’s uncle, Ghost knew them well.

  “First of all, knowing her cousins and brother, there’s no way she was involved with anything illegal, but obviously she was dating Gordon’s brother, Jake,” Avery said.

  “He assaulted her and she pressed charges,” Brick added.

  “Maybe to get out of trouble. She was caught in the middle of that bust, and perhaps trying to look innocent,” Beck said to them.

  “Not thinking that,” Avery whispered.

  “Are you thinking with the right head, bro?” Beck, who worked in anti-drug task force, asked. He was badass and then some. A retired Navy Seal and now top investigator in his team. He wanted to find Coast’s killer as badly as Avery did. It was why Avery left being a detective to work Internal Affairs. There had been some talk on the streets that some cops were involved and taking bribes. It led Avery and his partner, Roman, on some wild goose chases and even across borders, but all their information they uncovered kept coming back to South Carolina and the surrounding communities in Mercy, Sussex, and Fairly.

  “I am. I want Coast’s killer found, tried, and punished. These different cases all come around Gordon, and his operations. I would think it was him who pulled the trigger, but he was not even in South Carolina at the time and has legit alibies,” Avery said and exhaled.

  “Is she dating that dick Gains or what?” Beck asked.

  “I don’t think so. Not from what Roman, Connor, and Leo said. He has his eyes on her, that’s for sure,” Avery told them.

  “Maybe you shouldn’t talk to her. Perhaps she’s into bad guys doing dirty crimes and showing off their money to her. Your guys said that Gains was dropping bills left and right like some big shot,” Saber added.

  “Perhaps it’s like you think and he’s doing something dirty,” Brick said.

  “That son of a bitch is dirty, but it’s proving it and having the evidence to back up the accusations that’s the problem right now. We’re working on it, and on investigating Gordon. At least I know how he knows Afina. I can talk to her and steer her away from him.”

  “And toward you, Avery?” Brick said with an attitude.

  “I’m just going to talk to her and warn her,” Avery replied.

  “And possible screw up your investigation if she is somehow involved?” Saber asked.

  “She isn’t involved, Saber,” Avery said.

  “We don’t know that,” Saber replied.

  “She’s trouble and not what we need or want in our lives,” Brick stated.

  “You all find her attractive. She piqued your interests,” Avery said to them and pulled out his truck keys.

  “That was before we knew she could be involved with Gordon, or illegal activities, and before she was seen with Gains Fanders, a dirty cop you’re investigating, as well. Never mind the possibility that these men could lead you to finding Coast’s killer,” Beck said to him.

  “It’s all in the process of the investigation. Now let’s go, and whatever happens tonight, happens. I’ll be smart, and you should, as well.”

  “No problem there. I’m not talking to her. Watch your ass,” Brick said with attitude, and they headed out.

  * * * *

  Afina couldn’t believe how crowded Corporal’s was. There were so many people it was difficult to walk through. She hadn’t expected to see Gains there with his partner, Ray, and a few others. They greeted her hello, and of course Gains held her close and whispered into her ear about accepting a date with him. She blew him off, really not interested in him like that, and put some space between them. What she hadn’t expected when she did was to see Avery Armos and his brother Saber watching her. She quickly looked away and then went toward Ghost, hugging him hello and telling him “Happy birthday,” then greeted a few of her friends and their men.

  When Zayn came up behind her, she jumped and looked over her shoulder. He squeezed her shoulders. “We need to talk,” he said to her, and she knew he must have heard about last night and Gordon. There were a lot of cops around and other friends of theirs.

  “What’s up, Zayn?” she asked and hugged him hello.

  “Well, for starters, you should have called us immediately last night if Gordon approached you and spoke to you, never mind cornered you in the hallway at Casting’s.”

  “I handled it.” She subconsciously rubbed her wrist.

  He took her hand and looked at it, squinted. “I can see fucking marks.”

  “No you can’t. Well, just barely, but I handled it and he walked away.”

  “After bouncers got involved. What the fuck did he say to you, and who were you with?”

  “If you know what happened, then how do you not know who I was with?” she asked.

  “Don’t do that. You could be dealing with Mike right now instead of me.”

  “Like that’s supposed to intimidate me when I didn’t do anything wrong?”

  “I’m not saying that you did something wrong. The fact that Jake’s brother, who is a fucking thug with a criminal rap sheet, approaches you, grabs you, and appeared interested in you is need for concern, and you should have called us.”

  “Zayn, Gordon was being Gordon. Putting on his act, trying to flirt, and then acting aggressive. I told him not interested, called him out on his bullshit, and the bouncers came over.”

  “Who were you with that no one intervened this situation?”

  “My friends. We were hanging out with some guys, other friends, and then Gordon showed up. I think he did that to me to piss off the cops we were with because they seemed to know Gordon, for obvious reasons, and he wanted to mess with them.”

  “What cops?”

  “Just some guys.”

  “Someone in particular?”

  “No, Zayn, I’m not seeing anyone or interested in seeing anyone.”

  “Not even Gains Fanders?” he asked, and she felt her cheeks redden.

  “Seriously, he’s like forty-three and a show-off. We’re friends and nothing more.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. She widened her eyes at him. “What?” she pushed. He shook his head.

  “I don’t like the fact that Gordon comes into a bar you’re at and hits on you. It’s suspicious.”

  “He was meeting someone there and saw me. It was a coincidence. Believe me, the last person he would want to hit on is me and because of you guys and Mike. It was a stupid situation that was resolved.”

  “Well, watch your ass and don’t go to any places alone.”

  “I hardly ever go out, and when I do, it’s with friends.”

  “You better tell us if he bothers you again.”

  “I will.”

  “You better.”

  “Okay, so can I go use the ladies room before I join everyone by the bar?” she asked.

  “Go ahead,” he said, and then some guys said hello to him and she walked away. She had her drink in hand and drank it down then headed to the hallway and bathroom. When she came out a few minutes later, she headed to the outdoor area. She saw Casey, Emma, and Kai to the right, and then her friends Amber, London, and Francesca toward the back of the bar, and decided she should go their way to avoid her cousins and their friends who may bring up Gordon again. It was bad enough she had terrible dreams all night after what happened at Casting’s. She even imagined Jake back in her life and striking her and then thought about Gordon not taking no for an answer, and she wondered if her martial arts training would be enough to stop him. It was terrible. So much so that she debated about coming here tonight, but she did for Ghost and for her friends and family.

  When she felt the hand on her waist and a large presence behind her, she froze in place.

  “Afina.”

  Avery Armos. God, what his touch alone does to me is crazy.

  She knew from his voice and also his touch. Her entire body ignited into flames. She turned up toward him as people went by, crowding the area. Six feet four, jet-black hair, piercing blue eyes, and the way he eyed her over in her tight-fitting outfit made body parts go on alert.

  “Hi, Avery.”

  “You look beautiful as always,” he said, holding her gaze. Her cheeks warmed.

  “Thank you. How is everything?”

  “Not bad, and how about you? Staying out of trouble?”

  “Me? I’m an accountant. We don’t do trouble.” She felt guilty for some reason and she should not feel that way. She didn’t do anything wrong, but date a criminal whom she didn’t know was a criminal. Shit.

  He looked around them and then she did, as well, but it was pretty crowded and her cousins were way to the right.

  “Can we talk?”

  “About what?” she asked. He slid his hand along her arm to her elbow.

  “In private.” He led her to the side, away from the crowds and nearly to the side of the building. No one could see them here.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  He released her arm and then placed his hands on his hips. “Gains Fanders, how do you know him?”

  She was shocked and a bit confused. She squinted at him.

  “Gains? What do you mean how do I know him? He’s a detective and works out of the same building I do.”