Love in Spades: Four Kings Security Book One (Four Kings Security #1)(10)

Joshua looked stunned. He looked from Frank to Colton, who nodded, then back to Frank before dropping his gaze to his fingers.

“You really don’t have to, Mr. Ramirez. You’ve done so much for me already.”

Frank placed his fingers to Joshua’s chin and lifted his face so their eyes could meet. “Please, let me take care of you for a little while, Joshua.”

Joshua nodded, and Frank smiled warmly. He used the radio clipped to his belt to call one of his men, who happily escorted Joshua from the bathroom.

“Don’t forget to call the office,” Colton called out to Joshua.

“I will! Thank you so much, Mr. Connolly.”

When they left, Colton leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, and his wide smile aimed at Frank. “You’re adorable.”

Frank narrowed his eyes at Colton before walking out of the bathroom, Colton on his heels.

“Where do you think you’re going so fast, Mr. Ramirez?”

“Shut up.” The noise of the club exploded around them, and Colton followed Frank into the kitchen.

“You were very sweet with him.”

Frank spun on his heels and squinted at him. “What are you doing?”

“Me?” Colton blinked innocently. “He’s clearly smitten with you. I remember the feeling. It’s your arms.” Colton playfully squeezed Frank’s biceps, which were straining against the black suit jacket. He looked incredible as always in his tailored black suit with a black button-down shirt and black tie. Colton dropped his arms and laughed at Frank’s glower. “You make people feel safe, Frank, and Joshua clearly needs that.”

“He’s too young,” Frank muttered.

“You’re not an old man. For Christ’s sake, you’re forty-three.”

Frank scoffed. “Which makes me ancient to most of these guys.”

“Ridiculous. Look, it’s obvious Joshua’s not had it easy. I think he dodged a bullet with that asshole Booker.” Frank opened his mouth to argue his case some more, but Colton held a hand up to stop him. “Think about it. Now I’m going to go get stinking drunk in your club. Go take care of that sweet young man, and if he happens to want to take care of you, maybe consider it, huh?”

Frank’s frown was deep. “Why are you going to get stinking drunk?”

The man never missed a beat. “That’s a conversation for another night,” Colton said, patting Frank’s cheek. He turned and headed for the doors leading out to the club before Frank could stop him. “I promise I’ll tell you all my secrets then.”

Frank scoffed at that. “I already know all your secrets.”

“Then you can tell me some of yours,” Colton called out as he opened one of the doors.

“Yeah, yeah. Let someone know when you’re ready to go and they’ll call you a car.”

“Love you, Frank!”

Frank waved him off, and Colton laughed as he headed back to the bar. Time to have some fun and forget the Teds of the world.





Three





“We should have called. We owe it to Frank.”

As always, Red was the voice of reason, and normally Ace would have agreed, but this time they had a slight conflict of interest.

“Frank probably already knows we’re here,” Lucky grumbled through Ace’s earpiece.

Which was also true.

“He’s obviously busy,” Ace replied, scanning the club, “or he’d be out here already. Let’s find Colton. If we have any problems, we’ll talk to Frank. Oh, and whoever Frank finds first gets to break the news.” His friends’ curses made him smile. “Let’s do this.”

Ace liked Frank. A lot. The man often broke bread with the Kings, and together they drank to their mutual heartache, but as it turned out, Frank and Colton went way back. The two were close friends. If Frank had to choose between Colton and keeping his contract with Four Kings Security, no doubt Colton would win. Frank was as loyal as they came. Of course, Ace wasn’t above using that friendship to get Frank to cooperate. If Paxton didn’t know about the threats to his son until recently, chances were Frank probably didn’t know.

They’d arrived at Colton’s Ponte Vedra mansion only to be informed by Asha, Colton’s household manager, that her employer wasn’t home. If that wasn’t bad enough, the man was out clubbing. No security. Not even his driver. They were not off to a good start.

The heavy bass of the sensual beat reverberated in Ace’s chest, his heart seeming to pound along with the music as he waded through the sea of sweaty, gyrating bodies. Beautiful go-go boys with sinewy bodies danced on plinths raised high above the crowd, wearing nothing but glittering blue high-top sneakers and tiny sparkling blue shorts that accentuated their pert round asses. Their flawless-looking skin shimmered with pale blue glitter as they moved suggestively to the rhythm. Unable to help himself, Ace paused long enough to admire the sleek, dark-skinned beauty on the plinth closest to him, earning him a wink and a kiss blown his way from lush, lip gloss covered lips. Ace groaned and quickly reminded himself he was here for business, not pleasure.

Walking through the crowd of scantily dressed men in various stages of undress—and drunkenness—was like walking into a bull pen with a huge target painted on his back. Hands slid over his arms, neck, face, and ass. If he stopped for too long, someone’s fingers would find their way into his hair. Men smiled at him, blew kisses, and murmured dirty promises. Sapphire Sands was not a club for window shopping. The backrooms weren’t filled with men chatting over drinks. The club encouraged guests to let their freak flags fly, offering total discretion. It was members only, and to be a member, you had to have major cash or clout. The four Kings held companywide membership, a perk offered by Frank, thanks to his contract with Four Kings Security, a contract that would continue as long as no laws were broken. The Kings didn’t involve themselves with businesses linked to illegal activities, which meant no drugs or solicitation allowed.