Tempted & Taken (Men of Haven #4)(110)
“Paul doesn’t have any pockets,” Trev said. “Only his daddy does.”
Right on cue, the camera cut to an interview with Paul Renner as reporters intercepted him leaving another political fund-raiser.
“Councilman Renner, you’ve been very vocal in your run for US Representative in supporting the Dallas Police Department’s efforts to crack down on drug crime, and have called out establishments such as Crossroads in midtown Dallas. Have you heard about the additional drug arrests there tonight, and do you have any comments?”
Renner frowned at the ground, a picture-perfect image of disappointment and concern. Like that dickhead hadn’t been trying to screw people since his first foray from the cradle.
“I continue to grow more concerned with establishments like those run by Jace Kennedy and his counterparts,” Renner said. “It seems they continually skirt justice and keep their seedy establishments open for business. It’s innocent citizens who end up paying the price, courted by heinous individuals peddling dangerous substances and amoral behavior. My primary goal, if elected to the House of Representatives, will be to promote legislation that makes it difficult for men like Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Moreno to escape justice.”
The toothpick between Jace’s teeth snapped in half. He tossed it to the coffee table in front of him and pulled out another one of many stashed in the pocket of his jacket.
“It’s official, now.” Trevor raised his beer in salute and tipped his head. “You’re an amoral son of a bitch leading innocent citizens to ruin.”
Motion registered in one of the smaller security screens, the bathroom door outside Trevor’s office swinging open enough to let Little Miss and her seriously drunken sister ping-pong down the hallway. The two were about the same height, but you couldn’t have dressed two women more differently. Next to Little Miss, her sister was best suited for a biker bar, all tits, ass and wobbling heels. Not that she was bad to look at. She just lacked the natural, earthy grace of the sober one.
Damn it, he needed to pace. Or get laid. Just looking at the ass on Little Miss in tailored pants made him want to rut like a madman. Never mind the puzzle she presented. Trev wasn’t wrong—she had a shitload of backbone blazing through those doe-shaped eyes. The combination didn’t jive with her image. Nothing like a paradox to get his head spinning.
“Guess we found one way to get his head off Renner.” Zeke knocked back another gulp of his beer.
“What?” He back-and-forthed a glare between his brothers.
Trevor chuckled low and shifted the videos so Little Miss’s trek to the front of the bar sat center stage. “Zeke said the only thing you’ve done amoral was that freak show you put on with Kat and Darcy at last month’s barbecue.”
“Fuck you, Trev.”
“Fuck her, you mean,” Trev said. “No shame there, brother. You didn’t even see her up close. If you did, you sure as shit wouldn’t be sitting here rerunning sound bites of asshole Renner.”
“Hell, no,” Jace said. “A woman that uptight is the last thing I need. Or did you miss her casing not just Zeke patching up my shoulder, but the bloody shirt on the floor, too? You’ll be lucky if the cops don’t show from an anonymous tip called in.”
Little Miss and her sister stumbled into the front section of the bar, the sister’s arm curled around Little Miss’s neck in a way he’d bet would still hurt tomorrow morning.
Nope. Sweet hips, fiery eyes and a good dose of mystery or not, she was the last thing he needed right now.
Two men blocked Little Miss’s path.
The women stopped, and the drunk sister swayed enough it was a wonder she didn’t topple onto the table beside her.
One of the men palmed the back of Little Miss’s neck, and she jerked away.
Jace surged to his feet, grabbing his leather jacket off the table. “I’m headed to Haven. You hear more from Axel at Crossroads or get any more grief from the cops, let me know.”
Both men let out hardy guffaws and waved him off.
“Twenty bucks says our buttoned-up guest gets some help on the way out the door,” Trev said.
Zeke chimed in behind him. “Yeah, let us know if Sweet Cheeks tastes as good as she looks.”
Bastards. The sad thing was, Trev was about to score a twenty from Zeke, because Jace might not be willing to curl up with Little Miss, but he wasn’t watching men paw her either.
Chapter Two
Viv tightened her arm around Callie’s waist and shook off the not-so-shy behemoth of a man gripping the back of her neck. His height alone was enough to make him intimidating, but paired with his shaved head and leathers, the scary vibe packed an extra punch. “I appreciate the offer, but we’ll be fine.”
“Ah, come on, darlin’.” He stepped closer and shot a quick, conspiratorial grin at his cohort in crime, a much smaller guy who more than made up in the shaggy hair department what Cue Ball was missing. “Just trying to help out. Can’t have a pretty thing like you out on the streets alone this time of night.”
Stupid, stubborn men. One thing about guys who lived and breathed a hard life, they seemed to think the word no was a coy version of maybe. She feigned an innocent smile as best she could with Callie wrenching her neck. “Well, before I take you up on that, I should warn you, Callie’s probably about five minutes from puking on anything or anyone within a twenty-foot radius. Seeing as how I’m right next to her, that would include me. You still up for helping?”