Uncle Hugh’s sprawling estate has horses and the grounds I grew up visiting, but even here in this little village, people are friendly and welcoming.

  “I don't know.” The idea of moving my life feels daunting but more possible every day. “Would you be here?”

  “Of course.”

  My bottom lip slips between my teeth, and I nod. “In that case, I think I could.”

  He slides his thumb along my chin, tugging my lip free. His green eyes darken with hunger I feel all the way to my core. “You asked me once if I loved your uncle.”

  “You said yes.” I remember it well.

  “I’m starting to love another member of your family as well.”

  Rising on my toes, I lean into his ear. “Would you take me somewhere private and kiss me?”

  “God, yes.” The night air is warmer with spring drawing closer, but it’s nowhere near as hot as the fire in my belly as Hutch drives his massive cock into me from behind.

  With every thrust, I rise onto my toes. I’m standing outside his truck in the woods around Makeout Point.

  We didn’t make it all the way to the clearing. I was too horny and climbed over the console to nibble his ear while I slid my hand up and down the growing rod in his pants.

  With a loud swear, he pulled off into the trees, jammed the truck into park, and hauled me out the driver’s side door. I couldn’t help a laugh, until he turned me around and bent me over the seat, ripping my skirt up and my panties off.

  At that point, I was all fire and lust and need, until he filled me to the hilt. Now he’s behind me pumping fast, sending me to heaven.

  “Good girl.” His lips are at my ear, and his hands lift and knead my breasts, pulling and teasing my nipples, sending fiery sparks of pleasure racing through my core.

  My eyes are squeezed shut, and I lean my head back against his shoulder, rotating my hips around his dick. His mouth closes on my neck, biting and sucking, and a flutter of spasms breaks out in my pussy. I’m so close to coming, I whimper and tremble with every slide of his cock through my wetness.

  Sliding my hand down my belly, I massage my clit, and my orgasm erupts. My mind goes blank, and I see stars behind my closed eyes. His hot breath turns to low groans as Hutch draws closer, punctuating every thrust with a sound of pleasure until he breaks as well.

  Large hands grip my hips, and he holds me still as his cock pulses, filling my trembling core.

  We’re both panting as he leans over me, sliding my long hair away so he can kiss the back of my neck. His beard scuffing against my skin provokes another round of flutters inside me, and he groans, pulsing once more.

  We are fire and energy and completion, and I know I’ll never be with anyone else ever again. It’s impossible.

  Lifting my limp body off the seat, he wraps strong arms around my waist, holding me in a hug against his chest. “Little vixen. You almost made me wreck.”

  “I just needed you.” Turning my face, I kiss his cheek, sliding my nose into the side of his hair, searching for his familiar man-scent I adore. “I couldn’t wait any more.”

  Warm lips press to the side of my neck. “I’ll never make you wait. Let’s head back to the house.”

  Several hours and several orgasms later, I’m snuggled in Hutch’s big bed with his big, warm body beside mine. My eyes open, but the room is quiet. I have no reason to be awake. It’s 4 a.m., the witching hour, and I do what I know you should never do when you can’t sleep at night. I pick up my phone.

  Checking my social media for the first time in days, Natasha tagged me in pictures from the gala. Studying the faces in the background, I notice Trip beside Greg.

  I use my fingers to zoom in on their faces. They’re having some conversation, and Greg’s expression is stony. Trip’s ever-present grin is missing, and I’d give anything to know what they’re discussing.

  If Hutch is right, and Greg is behind the blackmail scheme, everything Trip has said to me is a lie. Anger burns in my throat when I think about how generous I’ve been with him, giving him a place to stay when his mom acted out. I want to slap his face.

  Hana might put herself in bad situations, but Trip is like our brother. He should be protecting her, not taking advantage of her.

  My heart beats too fast, and I know I’m not going back to sleep. Hutch is so peaceful, I don’t want to wake him. Sliding out of the bed, I quietly slip on my dress, take my shoes off the floor and tiptoe out of the room.

  26

  Hutch

  “It moved.” Dirk’s fingers fly over his keyboard, and I’m pacing the office.

  My brother’s call snapped me awake before dawn, and looking around, I saw I was alone in bed, which agitated me more. Now we’re at the office in town, and I’m waiting as he fills me in on what happened overnight.

  “The transfer was made at approximately 10 a.m. GMT, five our time, to a new account number not on any of the lists.”

  “Must be why it sat for so long.” My jaw is tight. “They knew we were watching it.”

  “How could they have known? Did Blake let it slip?”

  My mind skips back to the last time we were in New York, getting Blake out of that dive bar with Greg. “It could’ve been my fault. How long will it take to identify the account owner?”

  “I'm working on it now, but if they went to this much trouble, chances are, it won’t lead anywhere helpful.”

  “Let me know what you find out. I’ve got my phone.”

  Starting for the door, I’m frustrated by this turn of events, and I’m confused by Blake’s absence when I opened my eyes this morning. Why would she slip out without a word? Did something happen?

  I’m in my truck studying, trying to decide if I should go to Hugh’s place and check on her, or if I should give her space to come to me. Things got pretty intense last night. I all but said I was falling in love with her. Perhaps it was too much.

  Scrubbing my fingers over my eyes, I think about all of it in the light of day. Blake van Hamilton, the queen of New York City society, here with me, in Hamiltown. Is that even possible? Would she seriously want to give up her life in the city to move here or was it the margaritas talking?

  Serious discussions should not be had over alcohol. Still, she was smiling when we fell asleep. At no point in the evening had she seemed upset or uncomfortable or pressured.

  I sound like a teenage sitcom. Tossing my phone on the passenger’s seat, I decide to let it sit for now. I’ve got more important concerns at present. The only problem is my concerns take me to Hugh’s place, where she lives now.

  Fuck it. It is what it is.

  “You have to go to New York if you’re going to put an end to it.” Hugh’s voice is solemn, and he sits at his desk, listening as I fill him in on what happened today.

  “I don’t even know what we’re dealing with.” The truth is, after my last trip to the city, meeting with my dad, I decided I’d had my fill of New York and all the players in it.

  “Gangsters.” Hugh’s voice is level. “They’re high-tech, with all the gadgets, but underneath all of it, they’re old-fashioned gangsters.”

  “They are high-tech. All their shit is online, which means we can bring them down just as easily from here as we can there.”

  “I disagree. The only thing men like this respond to is a strong hand. You're going to have to look these guys in the face and deal with them.”

  His watery gray eyes level on mine, and I remember he’s from a different era, a time when violence was the only response to violence.

  Shaking my head, I look down at my lap. “I’m not a vigilante, Hugh. If they break the law, I can have them arrested. If not–”

  “If not, the monsters like Petrova continue, roaming the city, picking off one victim after the next. These boys are their protégés. They have to be stopped. Tell me you have the stomach to do what needs to be done.”

  “I’m not afraid to pull the trigger if it comes to that. I’m a Marine, for God’s sake.” Frustration twists my stomach. “What you’re asking is for me to be judge, jury, and executioner. That’s not how I operate.”

  “Maybe it should be. I can’t think of a more just, fair person than you. You’re not a hothead. I’d let you clean up the streets of my town any day.”

  “If I get down on their level, I’m a thug just like them.”

  “You didn’t feel that way about defending your country.”

  “It’s totally different.”

  “Is it?”

  I’m prepared to argue it out with him, when my attention is cut off by the beautiful woman standing in the doorway.

  Blake’s dressed in jeans and a light sweater, and her silky brown hair is tied back in a loose bun. Her eyes are focused on me, and despite my frustration, I can’t stay angry. She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

  “Hutch.” She walks straight into the office like she owns the place. “Did I hear you say you’re going to New York? I need to go with you.”

  “Good.” Hugh leans back in his chair. “It’s all settled, then. You can take my private jet.”

  “No…” I shake my head, looking from her to her uncle. “It’s not settled. Why do you need to go to New York?”

  More importantly, I want to ask where she went this morning, but not in front of Hugh.

  “Well, for starters, all my clothes are in New York… and Hana’s.” She turns to the side, looking down at her clasped hands. “We came here thinking it was for a week-long visit, and it’s turning into something longer. I think?”

  Her chin lifts, and when she looks at me, a question is in her eyes. Does she need me to confirm what I said last night?

  It’s funny, I spent the morning thinking she’d run out because I’d come on too strong. It didn’t occur to me she might be worried I spoke in the heat of the moment, and I didn’t mean what I said. The idea that I could have it backwards relaxes the fist in my stomach.

  “It’s definitely turning into something a lot longer.” My voice is low, and I take her hand. “I’m glad to take you, and I’ll help move your things.”

  She blinks away with a little smile on her lips, pink touching her cheeks. I want to cup her face in my hands and kiss her. Instead, I think about logistics and not wanting to make return trips.

  “Does Hana want to join us? I can get Scar or Dirk to come as well.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it, but yes. Hana needs to come so she can decide what she wants to have here.”

  “How soon do you want to leave?”

  “The sooner the better.” Her silvery eyes meet mine, and it’s decided.

  Hugh chuckles quietly as if to remind us of his presence. “I’ll arrange the flight now. My pilot will be ready when you are.”

  Blake leaves the room, and the old man gives me a smug grin. “I knew you’d make a great team.”

  “You’ve been pushing for it long enough.”

  All the humor leaves his face, and he grows serious. “And what will you do when they go after her?”

  Unreasonable anger hits in my stomach like a punch, and I know he’s right. These assholes are circling closer, from theft to blackmail, and now we’re headed right back to the city.

  I might not be a thug, and I’m not a vigilante, but the thought of someone hurting Blake changes me into a man I don’t recognize. She once called me the Dark Knight, but from my internal response, it’s possible I’m more like the Hulk.

  Hugh reads the change in my expression, and nods as if he’s satisfied. “That’s all I needed to know.”

  “But you’ll miss my game.” Pepper’s arm is around my neck, and she’s giving me her best pout. “You’ve already missed seeing me off to school twice this week. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”

  “That’s laying it on a little thick, even for you.” My brow arches, and I give her waist a little tug. “Your game isn’t until Thursday. I’ll be home by Wednesday at the latest.”

  “Hana’s going with you? What am I gonna do while you’re all gone?”

  I want to point out that Hana has only been in Hamiltown a few weeks, but I don’t. “Uncle Dirk has promised to have dinner with you every night. He’ll take you to get cupcakes, and we’ll be back before you have a chance to miss us.”

  She slides off my knee, standing between my legs to face me and putting both hands on the tops of my shoulders. “I know! I’ll go with you to New York.” Her eyes flash. “It’ll be educational–like a field trip. I can visit the MoMa and the Statue of Liberty. And Alexander Hamilton’s grave!”

  My hands are on her little waist, and I guess this is what parental guilt feels like. “It’s not that kind of trip, Pep. I’m working on a case. I won’t have time to take you to those places.”

  Her lips flap as she blows air forcefully through them. “It’s never been like this before. I think you like Blake better than me.”

  It hits me all at once–I am not prepared for her to get older. “It’s different with Blake. Mr. Hugh hired me to keep her safe, and part of the reason I have to go is some bad men are trying to… do some bad things.”

  Pepper’s eyes go wide. “They want to kill her?” Just as fast her bottom lip trembles, and her voice gets thick. “Do they want to kill you? If that happened, would I live with Uncle Dirk?”

  “No!” Jesus! Exhaling slowly, I pull her to my chest in a hug. “Nobody’s trying to kill anybody. It’s more like special adult-style theft. It’s called embezzlement. Nobody is getting killed, okay? I don’t even want you to think that. I’ll be back Wednesday, and I’ll go to your game, and that’s all you need to worry about, okay?”

  “Hana, too?” Her little voice is muffled against my neck, and I slide my hand up and down her back.

  “Hana, too, and Blake. The whole reason they’re going with me is to pack their things so they can move back here and live with Mr. Hugh.” She sniffs a few more times, and I nudge her back to meet her eyes. “Everybody’s going to be okay, you hear me? Now no crying. Give me a smile?”

  Her lips press into a little pucker, but she blinks hard and nods, forcing a smile.

  “That’s my girl. Hardest working shortstop in softball.” I pull her in for another squeeze, holding her close until I feel her relax. “I’m going to need a big, goodnight hug to last the next few days, okay?”

  Her arms tighten around my neck, and I’m relieved and sad when she does a little grunt. I do the same, hugging her and pretending to strain.

  Lifting her head, she whispers in my ear. “I love you, Uncle Hutch.”

  It hits me straight in the heart, but I have to go. “I love you, too, peanut.” I pull her back, giving her little fanny a swat. “Now get to the kitchen. Lurlene has your dinner, and Uncle Dirk is on his way.”

  She nods and takes off running through the house. Rubbing my hand over my forehead, I think about my promise, about Hugh’s line of questioning.

  No one is getting killed.

  We’ll be back in three days, this shit is going to be settled, and we’re all going to a softball game. Together.

  On my way out the door, I slip my Beretta into my duffel.

  27

  Blake

  Hana stands beside her bed, looking down into the suitcase. “It’s odd to think about going back there. The last time we were in New York together, Debbie died.”

  My stomach cramps, and I hate that we still don’t know what really happened to our friend. I will never buy the official line that she jumped off her balcony after a night of partying and pills. Debbie wouldn’t do that.

  But in the absence of more evidence, there’s nothing I can do to clear her name. It’s frustrating as fuck. We always looked out for each other–Debbie and me, and Hana as much as she could.

  “You don’t have to pack anything but toiletries. Maybe not even that. We’re packing up whatever we want from the apartment and bringing it back here for the time being.”

  Her blue eyes meet mine, and she nods, solemnly. “New York doesn’t feel like home anymore, does it?”

  “No.” It hasn’t for a long time, I think to myself. “Hana?”

  She glances over at me as she carefully puts items into an overnight duffel. When she sees my serious expression, she stops. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m just wondering, when you would go out with Trip, the nights I wasn’t there, who all was with you? Natasha, Debbie, any other guys?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  Anger burns in my throat at her go-to, cop-out response, but my sarcastic whatever dies on my lips when I see her face.

  Her brow is furrowed, and she’s focused on the sequined top she’s holding like she’s genuinely trying to remember something.

  “It’s okay.” I speak gently, going to her and taking her hand. “Try to relax. See if it comes to you.”

  She blinks several times before closing her eyes. “Greg would be with us sometimes, and another guy, Ivan…” Her lips tighten, and she shakes her head, opening her eyes again. “Ivan is all I can remember.”

  “That’s okay! That’s good, actually.” I sit on the bed smiling up at her. “We’ll call him Ivan X.”

  A little smile relaxes her face. “He’d probably like that. He was always trying to be a big shot like Greg. But he wasn’t.”

  She adds the last part softly, and my chest is so tight. I’ve never gotten this far with her before, but I try to control my excitement. I don’t want to pressure her and make her shut down again.

  “Do you remember what Ivan did? For work, I mean.”

  Her small nose wrinkles, and she looks at the window. “He said he was studying film? Or he was making a film. I don’t know.” She shakes her head fast. “It was something about a film. Debbie and I split a button of mescaline, so it’s all kind of hazy.”