“Damn, Lexie. I don’t know if I can do this.”
Irritation made her voice sharp.
“You aren’t doing anything, Jake. I am!”
She didn’t think his expression could harden any more, but it did. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he advanced toward her. Taking hold of her arm, he pulled her up next to him and stared in her eyes. She could feel his anger, a palpable vibration. His voice was low, threatening.
“No darlin’. That’s where you are wrong.” He nodded to the armchair across from the men sitting on the sofa. His command was curt. “Sit down, Lexie.”
Jake took a deep breath and then another. Grasping for a distraction, eager to dampen the emotions rioting through him, he waited until she sat down. Her eyes flashed, a dangerous sign.
Seeking to lower the tension, he asked, “Want a beer?”
She frowned, then gave him a dismissive nod.
“Sure, why not.”
Jake grabbed four beers from the refrigerator. He’d known he would have trouble squaring their plan with his misgivings. But that was in the abstract. Lexie was anything but an abstraction. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. She got to him at a base level. Just being in the same room with her was enough to tighten his jeans. Seeing her dressed in this shameless outfit guaranteed to tempt a stone, he had to physically remove himself to gain perspective. Quiet his gut. Control his dick.
He handed her a beer and placed the others on the table. Both Brady and Clint grabbed for the refills.
Jake pulled the other armchair up next to hers, turning it at an angle to keep her securely in his vision.
“You already know Brady.”
His shaggy blond haired friend tipped his bottle at her with a grin. He’d scrubbed off any signs of the homeless guy mask. Now in low slung jeans, a Grateful Dead t-shirt and gold loop on one ear lobe, he looked like a surfer dude. Jake grimaced. Like the good looking smart assed guy that he was.
He nodded to the older man next to Brady.
“This is Clint.”
Jake had known Clint for twelve years. He was amazed how one of the fiercest fighters on his squad could look so bland. With his hair graying at the temples and his nondescript sport coat and tasseled loafers, he could be any business man out on the town. No one would know the driving force that had made his one of Jake’s key men.
Clint smiled at Lexie. Jake was relieved to see her guard drop slightly and she smiled back. Clint had that kind of an effect. He invited people to like him, feel comfortable with him. Jake managed a slight smile, a direct contrast to the impudent Brady who was never happier than when he gleefully threw outrageous bombs in the conversation guaranteed to keep everyone on edge.
Jake caught Lexie’s attention.
“Both Brady and Clint served with Anthony and me in Iraq. Brady was also with us in Afghanistan. Like me, this mission is not only official, it’s personal. They’re the best undercover guys you’ll meet. They are my key men on our team.”
“So now we’re a team?” Lexie shot him an annoyed glance and added, “I don’t suppose I have a say in that?”
Jake nodded in agreement.
“No, you don’t. You don’t have a choice, Lexie. This is the team and you’re on it. Brady and Clint will be visible, not hiding their interest in you. There are more men in the shadows, both cops and my men. I’ll give you a code word. If any guy ever tells you he’s with me or has been sent by me and doesn’t know the code, take that stiletto heel of yours and drive it through his throat.”
He ignored her startled gasp.
“This is how it’s gonna go down, Lexie. You’re going to drive your car to and from the club. We’re gonna put a tracer on you.”
Brady unwound his long legs and leaned toward her with a salacious grin.
“That’s my job, hot stuff.”
He looked her up and down and drawled, “Don’t worry, Jake. I’ll keep searching until I find a place no one can see. There’s gotta be somewhere under those scraps of material that will take a tracer.”
Lexie laughed and shook her head. Then seeming to remember that she was annoyed with Jake, she gave him a frosty glance.
“I suppose you already have one on my car.”
His lip curled. “Yep. I put one on it that first day at the station.”
She frowned.
“Dammit, Jake, you have no right. I am a private citizen.”
“Relax, sugar. I’m bending about 900% of the rules I follow to partner up with you. This may be the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Just hope I don’t regret it for the rest of my life.” He stifled a groan and shrugged. “I don’t know how the hell else I can keep you safe.”
Drilling her with a stern look, he added.
“Remember. Lexie, we’re all on the same team.”
“Hmm. Too bad. I’m not much of a team player.”
He smiled. “You are now, sugar.”
He held her gaze until she looked away. He saw her indecision and pressed.
“Okay. This is your job. Do what you do best. Switch that little hot ass of yours around and get some attention.”
He huffed.
“Like it’s gonna take anything to make any man with a pulse notice you.”
She glanced up, and returned his glare.
“And then keep my eyes and ears open, right? Make friends with the girls? Let them think I am one of them. Act like I am new in town, right. Jake? Act like a waitress.
Don’t give away that I am a fighter. Act sort of innocent, but also a little hard…”
Jake held up his hands and broke in.
“Okay. Okay. I concede. You know what you are doing.”
Lexie frowned, then gave him an impudent smile.
“One question. Who are you going to be? Everyone in the bar last night saw you with me. We can’t very well hide it.”
Brady took a slug of his beer. Dangling the bottle between his fingers, he turned to Jake.
“Ah, yeah, big guy. You two did make a bit of a scene last night.”
Jake felt his cheeks heat, matching the flush on Lexie’s face.
He frowned at Brady, then gave Lexie a hard glare.
“Yeah, we did. But we’re going to turn it to our advantage. I am going to act like the jealous outraged boyfriend. You can make it clear to the girls that you and I are on the outs. That I am too possessive, too demanding. That will allow me to hang around, but also not be with you. Think you can pull that off, darlin’?”
Brady guffawed.
“I don’t know, big guy. That’ll be a tough one. But don’t overdo it. If you can keep from growling when any guy comes within three feet of her, maybe they won’t throw you out.”
Jake pinned him with a combative stare.
“Make that maybe they won’t TRY to throw me out.”
Brady nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re right about that.”
Lexie scoffed and rolled her eyes at the macho interplay. But Jake leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees, and she found she couldn’t look away. He was so serious, so intent. She shivered, wondering for a short minute if she’d been crazy to think she could do this on her own. His eyes narrowed, and the slight smile on his lips didn’t reach his eyes.
Jake continued, his gaze never leaving hers.
“When your shift is over, Lexie, go to your car. At least two men will be in the parking lot. Get in and drive straight home. One of our guys will be behind you to make sure no one follows you. Park in the garage. Again, we
