Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(119)

“Wedding ring,” he says to me.

“If not, you’d be all over that, right?”

“No, I’m committed to you, Miss Apples.”

Glaring hard at him, I nearly miss the part where we’re sitting down and talking business.

“These two will stick out like sore thumbs in Common Bend,” Cooper says to Rafael.

“Isn’t that the point?”

Cooper shrugs, focusing his dark gaze on Dino. The horndog leans back in his chair and glances around.

“Do you guys have good spaghetti around here?”

Rafael gestures for Cooper to focus on the job since Dino clearly isn’t.

“Our territory runs into Northern Tennessee, just before you reach Nashville,” Cooper says, and I wonder if I should take notes. “We’ve never had problems down that way until recently. Now all my people are ending up dead, missing, or in jail on petty charges. I found out a new sheriff named Black has taken over Common Bend.”

Rafael glances at an uninterested Dino before focusing on me. “What Cooper needs is for you to find out if the sheriff is dirty or just a Dudley Do-Right.”

“What if we find out he’s clean?” I ask, feeling very female in a room with too many large men. Tawny, at least, has the benefit of disappearing into the corner near the filing cabinet. “I’m not killing a goody-two-shoes cop.”

“I’ll do it,” Dino blurts out. “Cops bug me.”

Cooper frowns at Dino. “You’re only going down there to find out what his deal is. If he’s dirty, I want to know if he’s working alone or who his allies are.”

“So no killing?” I ask rather than calling bullshit on this entire meeting. “Why not use local people?”

“Sheriff Black will round up any of my people who show up in town. Besides, we have territorial concerns.”

Rafael leans over to explain. “The surrounding towns are controlled by other factions. One of them is a club run by the Reapers’ friendly adversaries. The Rutgers would love to find a reason to snatch up Common Bend and push the Reapers out of Tennessee. Cooper figures you two will make less noise than his people.”

“I might, but Dino isn’t exactly subtle.”

The Italian Sausage shrugs. “No one likes the shy type back in Jersey.”

“You’re not in Jersey anymore,” Cooper growls.

For a few seconds, I get my hopes up that Cooper will kick Dino’s ass. Once Rafael sighs, the men’s tension fades. The big man to my left won’t allow the other big men to fight. What a shame.

Cooper forces his angry gaze off of Dino and looks at Rafael. “I have a contact who will give you safe harbor. He runs the town next door to Common Bend.”

“Can we trust him?”

“No. Hayes doesn’t play well with others, but he wants the sheriff gone. He’ll help until he decides he doesn’t want to help anymore. No telling with the guy.”

I wish Troy were my partner on this job. Instead, I’m stuck with Dino, who plays with his phone rather than pay attention. Rafael ignores Sausage, again focusing on me.

“Cooper has cars, cash, and weapons for you. If things get dicey, he’ll send his enforcers. If it gets really dicey, I’ll call in the rest of the Houston team.”

“For a recon mission, huh?” I say, standing up. “You boys are full of shit, but I’m a big believer in being a team player.”

“And you?” Cooper asks Dino.

“I go wherever Apples goes.”

Cooper rolls his eyes and gives Tawny a grumpy look. They share a silent conversation I don’t care about.

“Well, nice meeting you, Cooper,” I announce. “I’m meeting Harlow for dinner.”

“I’ll go with you,” Tawny says.

I narrow my dark eyes at her. Not knowing any better, she narrows her dark eyes at me. Normally, I’d do a little ovary measuring, but I really want away from Dino, who is staring at my ass again. I can feel his gaze burning through my jeans.

“Let’s go,” I say, walking out of the back office with her close behind me.

Tawny pauses when we get outside. “I only have my Harley. Did Vaughn take your bags to the apartment?”

“Yes, but I’m not riding bitch on your hog.”

“Why not?” she asks, climbing onto the Harley. “I’ll ride real slow for you.” I’m ready to complain until she says all I need to hear to change my mind. “Dino’s on his way out.”

Climbing on behind her, I sigh. “What was the point of having you at this meeting?”

“I’m good at reading people, and Cooper wanted to know if he could trust you and Dino.”

“Well?”

“I’ve got a good feeling about you both.”

“Even Sausage?” I balk while the Harley roars to life.

Tawny glances back at me and smiles. “He pays more attention than he lets on. Don’t let his bullshit fool you.”

I tighten my grip on her as we race away from the office and Dino. Tawny’s words give me hope that this assignment might not be so bad. In fact, Dino might even be a fun partner if he stopped trying to hump me constantly.





4


Minka