An Eye For Illusion: A Private Investigator Romantic Suspense: (Dunn Security Group Book 2)

Chapter 3

Islide onto the empty barstool I vacated a mere thirty minutes ago. The bartender looks over, raising an eyebrow.

“Back again so soon?”

I shrug my shoulders. “The beer was so good, I thought I’d swing back around for another.”

He laughs and turns to pour me the same draft beer I ordered earlier tonight.

He fills it to the top and casually walks over to where I’m sitting before placing the tall glass down in front of me. “Should I start a tab?”

I pick up the beer and take a small sip before glancing around the open space.

“No, thanks. Actually, I’m hoping you can help me out with something.”

He raises his eyebrows again, this time they almost meet his hairline. “This isn’t that kind of establishment, pretty boy.”

A deep, loud laugh leaves my lips when I realize what he’s implying. “I’m flattered you think I’m pretty, but no thanks again.” I chuckle. “I’m just looking for a little information.”

He straightens, and a flat mask falls across his face. I’m sure I’m not the first person to show up at his bar looking for information of some sort, and I’m sure I won’t be the last. The question is, how much will it take for this guy to give it up? Everyone has a price, and this guy won’t be any different from the rest.

He crosses his arms and widens his stance. Ahh, the typical alpha male approach. I make sure to leave my face blank but receptive. It’s a skill I’ve perfected over the years, and some would say I’m pretty damn good at it.

“Depends on who’s asking,” he replies.

I casually take another sip of my beer and set it back down before rising to retrieve my wallet from my back pocket. I pull out a hundred-dollar bill and place it on the bar in front of us. I don’t bother putting my wallet away, just in case. This guy might not have shit to tell me, but I’m willing to take the gamble. Plus, Jade will be billed for it, anyway.

I smirk when I think about that. I enjoy ruffling her feathers a little too much.

Butfuck it.

The man eyes the hundred, surprise flickering across his face at the amount. It doesn’t take him long to step forward and grab the bill. He slides it across the bar before promptly picking it up and placing it in his pocket.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on the bar. He’s close enough to keep our conversation private. He looks around the mostly empty space. Slow country music plays through the speakers, and a few couples are scattered out on the dance floor, swaying to the music. Another customer on the other side of the bar is so far gone, I’m not sure he realizes he’s still in an upright position. Lastly, there’s a larger group situated in the back of the bar.

That’s where the bartender’s eyes linger for a moment, his pupils dilating and his breath hitching before his gaze snaps to mine.

Interesting.

“His name is Vinny. I don’t know what he wanted with the guy or why he stood him up. The suit isn’t a regular here. That’s all I know,” he says quickly before rising to his full height and picking up a towel to wipe down the bar top in front of us.

“Is Vinny a regular?” I ask as I take another sip of my beer, careful to make sure it doesn’t look like I’m talking to him.

He shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe.”

That’s a yes with how he nervously shifts around. His eyes dart over to the corner booth, and I’m pretty sure the pit stains I now see only appeared during this brief conversation.

Well, hot damn.

I incline my head, silently thanking him as he scurries off to the other side of the bar. My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out to see who’s calling, half expecting it to be Jade again.

I’m surprised when I see Liam’s name flash across the screen. I swipe to answer. “What’s up boss?”

“Hey man, I wanted to check in on things. How’s the case coming along?” The deep timbre of his tone is flat but slightly irritated.

Liam is a great boss, which has made the past five years I’ve worked for him smooth and comfortable. He isn’t easily rattled and always has a calm head about situations. He can be a hard ass when he needs to be, but for the most part, he steps back and lets the men working at Dunn Security Group do their job.

Which is why I’m surprised he’s calling, but it only takes me a moment to figure out why. I turn away from the bartender and corner table. Dropping my voice so no one around me can hear my conversation. “Jade been obsessively calling you, too?”

That pulls a laugh out of him. “How’d you know?”

“Lucky guess is all,” I retort.

“She may go down as one of the most prickly, annoying clients we’ve ever had, and that’s saying something.”

I snort, because… Well, he’s right.

“In all seriousness, though. How’s it going?” he asks.

I take a sip of beer before setting the glass back down. “I’m following a lead right now. Not sure what this might turn into, but it definitely shows our guy isn’t as squeaky clean as he looks on paper.”

I know I can be honest with Liam. We trust each other implicitly. I know he won’t run back to Jade and blab, potentially ruining the case.

“Hmmm, well I know you have a handle on it. Let me know if you need anything from me or the team. I have to call Ms. Foster back to let her know we don’t have anything to update yet.”

Oh, she’s going to love that answer. I smirk just thinking about her pretty face, scrunching up in disappointment and annoyance.

“Thanks, Liam.”

“Don’t mention and have fun with this one. You’ll need a little humor to get you through.”

“Oh, don’t I know it. She’s aggravating, but I enjoy ruffling her feathers, too.”

Liam groans. “Of course you do. Whatever you do, don’t create any more work for me.”

“You know I would never,” I reply in a playful tone, placing my hand over my heart, though he can’t see it.

“Mrs. Green still calls me, Colin. I don’t think that woman will ever forget.”

I bark out a laugh at that. Mrs. Green is a middle-aged woman who needed some assistance with one of her sons. Let’s just say she was a little too eager for me to work for her.

I shake my head to myself. “This one is different. There’s no chance of her catching feelings, and the same goes for me. I’m just having a little fun with her. She needs to loosen up. I’m pretty sure her eyebrows stay in a petulant state of disapproving.”

He snorts. “Yeah, I picked up on that in the voicemail she left. Anyway, I have to run. Willow needs something.”

I smile. Willow is Liam’s long-time secretary. More like she’s the right-hand woman for the company. She keeps Liam in line and is one hell of a taskmaster.

All the boys at Dunn have a running bet on how long it’ll take for the two of them to finally admit they have feelings for each other. So far, it’s just SJ and me left in the bet because Donovan already lost.

“Tell her I say hi,” I say, dropping my tone just a pinch.

Liam growls before muttering, “Sure I will,” and hanging up the phone.

A deep chuckle leaves my lips before I slide my phone back into my back pocket. I get closer and closer to winning that bet every day.

I order another beer, deciding to settle in for the evening. I have some guys to tail and some questions to get to the bottom of.