From Sanctum with Love (Masters and Mercenaries #10)(98)

“Guard duty?” Jared asked, looking Erin over as though trying to figure out if she was a threat.

She was. Erin was deadly when she wanted to be. Years in the Army and then private training with Big Tag had turned her into a deadly weapon, but she wasn’t a threat to them. “A couple of months ago an op went wrong and Big Tag is simply making sure Erin’s safe.”

“He’s making sure crazy pants Doctor Evil doesn’t come back for seconds.” Erin rolled her green eyes. “Which she won’t since she’s off happily f*cking around with unsuspecting victims somewhere that’s not here. But Big Tag, Little Tag, and Should Have Covered His Tracks Better Tag decided I should have protection, at least at night, so they all take turns sleeping in my guest room. I swear I’m going to be pissed if someone breaks in and I don’t get to kill someone. No one ever lets me have fun anymore.”

Erin’s idea of fun could get grisly. And Big Tag had been worried about more than Hope McDonald. He’d been worried about her being alone, worried she might hurt herself or run away. So far she’d been pretty solid. Tonight she even sounded like the old Erin. She was apparently seriously amused that Case had gotten caught. “You didn’t have to come down here. We’re not in any real trouble.”

She gave him a sour grin. “Maybe not with the police, but I’m intrigued. You see, Hutch is a very smart hacker and he works for candy. I wanted to know what had gone down here that would require not one but two lawyers for our boys. So I shoved a bag of gummy bears his way and he managed to find some very interesting video of the hall outside the private lounge.”

“What?” Kai moved in close. What the hell was Erin thinking? “This is a police investigation.”

She shook her head. “I’m sure the murder is. I’m not concerned about some Hollywood chick. I’m concerned about what the hell you handed Case and why he’s running an op that isn’t on the books. Don’t tell me it wasn’t an op. Case had his op face on. It’s a little like his I-ate-too-many-fries face but with a hint of his vicious-badger face. I love my broth…I like the guy, but he’s pure muscle. He can’t play a role to save his life.”

It wasn’t inaccurate. Of the two, Theo had been the better operative while Case could kick ass and take names all day. “You should take it up with Case.”

“What does she mean about an op?” Jared asked, looking between the two of them. “And why would she hack into the video feed from the club? Is the hacker five? Who else eats gummy bears?”

Naturally that was what Jared would hit on. “Don’t worry about it. We need to worry about making a statement and getting the hell out of here. We can talk more when we get home.” He frowned Erin’s way. “You do realize someone is likely taping us even as we speak.”

“Fine, I’ll drop it for now, but why does Kori look like she lost her best friend?” Erin asked. “We’ll get back to Case later, but Kori’s sitting out in the station waiting for a ride. Shouldn’t you take her home, Doc? Or is this part of the sadist stuff?”

If they’d been at Sanctum, he would have called her on that. Erin had played before. Hell, Erin had played with him. Erin was one of the few women who could handle his form of play, but it had been apparent even in the beginning that she’d had a connection to Theo. Once the youngest Taggart had come on the scene, Erin hadn’t been interested in play anymore. Not with him. So he found it very annoying that she was accusing him of neglecting his sub.

Except Kori wasn’t his sub anymore. She never had been since he hadn’t managed to find a good time to talk about contracts with her.

“She’s not going anywhere.” It didn’t matter that she was pissed at him. All that mattered was taking care of her. “You go out there right now and tell her she’s not to leave this building. I will be very angry if she tries to go home without an escort.”

Jared stood up beside him, a stubborn look crossing his face. “And Sarah isn’t an escort. She’s not going anywhere either.”

Erin looked between the two of them. “Wow, for a minute there you two actually looked like brothers. Tell me something, Jared. How did you get the masculine name and Kai here got the hippy name?”

“My mom simply liked it.” Let it stay there. Please.

A slow smile split Jared’s face. “He hasn’t told anyone, has he? Kai is short for Kaiser. Kaiser Ferguson. And before you think maybe we had a German relative in our background, you’re wrong.”

“Jared,” he began.

Jared didn’t skip a beat. “When he was born, the doctor handed him over and the blanket slipped off his butt and Mom said his backside looked like two perfect Kaiser rolls. And that’s what she named him.”

Erin burst into laughter, her whole body moving.

Damn but it was good to hear her laugh. He shot his brother the finger, but Jared smiled as though he’d known the woman in front of him needed a reason to momentarily let go.

Before Erin could finish laughing, the door came open and Special Agent Rush strode in. He was followed by two uniformed officers, and there was no way to miss the handcuffs in his hands. The metal glinted in the stark light of the room.

“Jared John Ferguson,” Rush began. “You’re under arrest for the murder of Lena Klein. You have the right to remain silent.”