The Trouble With Temptation (Second Service Book 3)(11)

After only a couple days, Ty could tell Morgan wasn’t a woman with many walls. She greeted almost everyone with a smile. She didn’t hide her emotions. She wasn’t ashamed of her passions. If she wasn’t a suspect in one of his investigations, Ty might be tempted to call her a friend.

Truth to tell, he’d be tempted to call her a hell of a lot more than that. Which was surprising. She wasn’t his usual type. Normally, he was attracted to women that fit a more mainstream definition of beauty—long legs, plenty of makeup, natural color hair.

Morgan was about as far away from that description as a woman could be. And yet something about her had gotten under her skin. Maybe it was the sound of her laugh or the way her cheeks sometimes lit up when she smiled at him. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever spent time with.

Of course, it didn’t matter what he thought about her bright caramel-colored eyes, her easy laugh or her bright hair. The only thing that mattered was her connection to the Bratva. What she knew, and what she could tell him.

So far, all he’d been able to conclude was that she was afraid of them.

That proved she had a brain in her head, which was more than Ty could say about her brother. Gregg Kincaid had spent the better part of every night seated at Barinov’s table.

Ty pulled into what was quickly becoming his usual spot between the Audi and Subaru. He kicked down his stand, slid off his helmet, and headed for the back entrance.

He heard the shouting the second he opened the door.

The linoleum-lined hallway was empty. The voices were coming from the far end. From the offices.

Morgan and Gregg’s voices tangled together, echoing off the walls.

“I’m your sister, and your partner. I deserve answers.”

“You’re acting like a crazy person. There’s nothing going on.”

Ty quietly closed the door. He had a feeling this was coming. Gregg Kincaid had been avoiding Morgan since her run in with the Bratva. Everyone who worked at the club had noticed. He showed up late and left early.

Ty hadn’t heard Morgan say a word about her brother’s behavior. She didn’t have to. He could tell by the worried crinkles around her eyes that it bothered her more than she was letting on.

He hurried down the hall, making sure to silence his footsteps. The last thing he wanted was for either of them to know he was here. Not before he’d heard what they had to say.

“Like hell there isn’t, Gregg. I’ve been doing some research. And I’ve figured out who those men you’ve been hanging out with are.”

“Morgan—”

“They’re the Russian Mafia.”

“Keep your voice down.”

The door to Gregg’s office was closed, but it didn’t matter. Ty could hear every word spoken. The pair was really going at each other. No surprise. This had to be a confrontation weeks in the making. Ty was only glad that he happened to witness it. It might be his only chance to catch the Kincaids in an unguarded moment.

A patch of light fell onto the floor in front of the office window. The blinds were open. Ty risked a step away from the wall, but he was stuck at a severe angle. He could only see a sliver of what was happening.

But it was enough.

Gregg stood behind a desk, his face beet red. The tendons in his neck stood out like tense cords.

Ty couldn't see Morgan, but he could tell where she was standing from the angle of Gregg’s wild-eyed stare. She had to be just inside the door. Good. She wasn't cornered.

Ty glanced behind him. The hallway was still empty, but it wouldn't be for long. The rest of the staff would start filtering in any minute now.

“Why? Do you think I’m the only one who has figured it out? You haven’t exactly been discreet, Gregg.”

“Neither have you. What the hell were you thinking barging up to them like that?”

“I was thinking that I’m co-owner of this nightclub, and have every right to know what is going on.”

“Our deal was that you run the back of house operations, and I run the money and the front.”

“That was before the goddamned Russian Mafia got a regular table in the club. So are you going to tell me what the hell is going on between you and them?”

“I told you there’s nothing going on.”

“Bullshit. Those guys aren’t here because they like the DJ. Tell me the truth. Are they connected to this money stuff?”

Ty leaned in closer at the mention of money. Close enough to see Morgan’s shadow against the far wall. Her elbows were bent, her hands on her hips.

There was a long pause. When Gregg spoke again, his voice was low. Ty had to strain to hear it.

“Have you been poking your nose in my business again?”

“See that’s the problem, right there. This isn’t your business, Gregg. It’s our business.”

“Morgan.” Gregg’s voice was filled with warning. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll shut your mouth right now.”

“It’s mob money, isn’t it? That’s what’s inflating our accounts. What the hell were you thinking?”

“God damn it, Morgan.” Gregg raised his fists above his head and slammed them down on his desk. Morgan’s shadow jumped at the aggressive display.

Ty’s gaze flashed to the doorknob and back to the scene inside. He bit into his lower lip. Morgan was pushing her brother hard, but Ty didn’t think Gregg was going to break. Her accusations were wearing down his defenses but not in a way that would lead to surrender.