Chapter 13
Thirteen
brENDAN
B rendan hadn’t felt so good in his entire life. He’d almost gotten himself killed, but the rush from saving the woman he loved, combined with the beautiful words that she trusted him with her life and heart, were worth the risk. Now, he just needed to keep his wits about him until he incapacitated Jed Marshall and hopefully walked off into the sunset with her.
Damn love ? Did he love her? It would seem so. Why else would he be dumb enough to set off flash grenades in front of a mob of powerful criminals with guns?
Brendan guided Genevieve across The Golden Star casino floor, nodding at Manning in greeting as he approached.
A pleased smirk lit up Manning’s face. “Brendan, you make quick work of things. I see the plan was successful. My crew has been directed to dispose of your car. I’ll up the security at the doors and redirect the cops if need be. Marshal’s men will have tracked you, but I doubt they’ll be reckless enough to answer back tonight.”
“Thanks, I’ll be up in the villa if you need me. I don’t want to leave Genevieve’s side. ”
“Ms. Hart.” Manning inclined his head. “So nice to see you again—on the same side this time. A pleasant revelation.”
“Manning Cole?” Genevieve blinked. Her dazed caramel eyes riveted toward Brendan. “You’re friends with Manning Cole?”
“I am now.” Brendan couldn’t withhold a smug grin.
Genevieve smiled, biting her lip. “Hmm,” she mused. “I agree with Mr. Cole. You make quick work of things.”
Brendan clasped Genevieve’s hand, nodding his chin toward Manning. “Any updates?”
“Quill arrived twenty minutes ago. I asked him to work with me in the morning on our legal angles. He already seemed to know about your impulsive plan to flash-bang Marshal’s casino and get Ms. Hart to safety. He wasn’t pleased, so we didn’t talk long.”
“Yeah, I figured he’d oppose. Regardless, I wanted him up to speed in case I didn’t make it out.”
“I told him that if I found out you were dead, I’d let him know—otherwise, to hang tight in the villa.”
Raking a hand across the back of his neck, Brendan grumbled, “Great, I was hoping for a few peaceful minutes before he grilled me. He’s not going to like that I acted without talking to him first.”
“Got to say, Brendan,”—Manning huffed out a laugh—“I’m glad you lived. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if you would.” He rubbed his fingers along his quirked mustache. “I’ll admit I’m surprised, and very few people surprise me. I know this is premature since we haven’t finished the job yet, but I wouldn’t mind partnering up with you.”
Genevieve prodded at Brendan’s arm. Their eyes linked, and she shook her head. His heart rate kicked up a notch while he worked hard to keep his face impassive. She cared where he lived? That was a good sign. Not that he had any interest in the casino business, but still .
Brendan skipped his gaze back to Manning. “Allies, Manning. It seems Reno will never be my home, but my door is always open to a good friend.”
“Figured you’d say that.” Manning gestured a firm nod his way. “There may be times I take you up on that.” Holding out his hand, he added, “At a minimum, can we agree you’ll handle my financial investments?”
“I’d be glad to.” Brendan shook on it.
“You’ve got a good man there, Ms. Hart.”
She grinned. “I’m aware, Mr. Cole. He’s worth a lot more than millions.”
“If you can keep him alive.” Manning belted out a laugh.
Genevieve narrowed her eyes at Brendan. “Hmm…Mr. Cole makes a good point. One that I’ve been trying to make as well.”
Brendan winked at her. “I’m not that easy to kill.”
She rolled her eyes, and he chuckled, savoring the warmth that spread through him at having her safely by his side.
Leading her toward the elevators, Brendan whispered, “Where are your shoes?” a hint of amusement lacing his voice as he punched the up button. His smile dropped. “Don’t tell me they put another tracker in them?”
“Oh, no.” Genevieve looked down and wiggled her red-polished toenails.
He flinched at the cuts that were clearly visible on the tips of her toes.
“Well, maybe,” she continued, “but that’s not why I shed them. I was going to make a run for it just before I spotted you, so I took them off and tossed them behind a slot machine.”
“Convenient coincidence. In fact, you probably saved my life. I’m not sure we’d have gotten away without me getting shot if you hadn’t.”
“Nah,” she purred playfully as the elevator dinged. “Seems to me that you can do anything, Mr. King . ”
Brendan shook his head and stifled a laugh, scraping a rough hand through his disheveled hair. “I’m not bulletproof, Genevieve.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” She wrapped an arm around his neck. “I may like you cocky,”—she poked him hard in the chest, glaring at him—“but I don’t like you dead. If you ever do anything like that again, I’ll kill you myself. You almost gave me a heart attack. You’re absolutely right that you’re not bulletproof. That was stupid and reckless and?—”
He crashed his mouth down on hers, kissing her with all the pent-up passion of surviving an intense life-threatening situation. When he pulled away, she sighed dreamily.
Her tongue darted over her lips as if savoring his taste. “And worth that kiss ten times over.”
Brendan closed his eyes, letting her desire for him thrum through his veins. “Worth your freedom, Genevieve. Give me a few weeks to work this through under Manning’s protection, and we can go home.”
“Aren’t we in danger if we stay here?”
“I don’t think so. I actually think we’re safer here than anywhere else. Manning and I discussed Marshal’s potential reaction at length. If he sics the corrupt cops on us, we’ll retaliate by immediately involving the FBI, and Marshal doesn’t want his drug businesses exposed. If just Manning or I were to go after Marshal, maybe he could get away with unleashing his shady connections on us, but with the pair of us working together and our joint diversified networks, he’s got to tread carefully. If Marshal somehow gets either one of us behind bars, we’ve made a pact to support the other.”
“You’re not going to contact the FBI?”
“Yes, we will. Tomorrow probably. However, the FBI has to promise us immunity before we’ll work with them.” Brendan shrugged. “Unless, of course, Marshal makes an aggressive move we’re not ready for, in which case we’ll put instant pressure on him in return.”
Genevieve gnawed on her lower lip, and Brendan had to force himself not to go in for another kiss while she wanted answers. “I still don’t understand how we’re safer here than anywhere else. Can’t the cops come in here and arrest us before the FBI is even notified? Jed will have video footage of you setting off those flash grenades, and then there are the warrants for my arrest.”
“I’m not staying here, and neither are you.”
Her eyes widened. “ What? I thought you just said that this was the safest place to be. Where will we go?”
“No, sorry, I’m not explaining this well. When I say we’re not staying here, what I mean is that Manning entered a false name for our reservation. There’s no record that we’re even here. He’ll have his security scrub all the videos of us in his hotel and casino, including the ones that just took place. It’ll be his word against Marshal’s that we came in here if the police show up. Without any idea of what room to search, there’s nothing the cops can do.”
The elevator doors popped open, and they walked through the hallway hand in hand.
She shook her head as if in disbelief. “How did you convince Manning Cole to support you like that in one day? He’s just as powerful as Jed in this town.”
Smirking, Brendan slid his keycard against the reader and opened the door. “I’m that good.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
“Ah, but you like it.”
She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and shrugged. “Yeah, I do, but I like you alive more.”
Brendan held the door open for her and followed her into the villa, letting it slam shut behind him .
“You got her out. Unbelievable.” Quill swiveled on a kitchen stool toward where they walked across the living room and gawked. “You’re one lucky SOB. What part of wait till I arrive did you not get? The whole damn city is screaming with sirens, and I’m up here sweating bullets about whether my best bro is alive or dead.” He scoffed. “I’m going to beat you to a pulp if you ever do anything like that again. You didn’t kill him, did you?”
“No,” Brendan growled, “but I wish I had. That bastard deserves a bullet.” He gently eased Genevieve onto a pale pink leather couch in the central living room. “Let me get Genevieve some saline solution to calm her eyes and some ointment for her feet—then I’ll bring you up to speed.”
Brendan rushed upstairs into his bedroom, grabbed the supplies, and hurried back down, shedding his suit jacket.
“Bro, that belt is wicked cool.” Quill trotted into the living room. “I see you’ve got a few extra flash grenades. Is that a gun ?”
“Yeah, I had a gun in case, but attempting to fire it with my limited experience was more dangerous than running. The flash grenades were the way to go. Manning hooked me up and had one of his senior security officers show me how to use them in their training center.”
Brendan unclasped his tactical belt and handed it to Quill so he could check it out. Two unused flash grenades, the gun, and some ammo still remained untouched.
Quill’s face lit up with a giddy grin. “Gosh, I get here late, and I miss all the action.”
Brendan released an exhausted chuckle. “Let’s hope none of us have any more bloodthirsty action. I could do without Jed Marshall preying on Genevieve, having a pissing contest with that menacing creep, and dodging bullets. It’s not as exciting as it seems.”
“Dodging bullets?” Quill brushed his shoulder-length blond hair to the side, his eyes popping wide open. “They shot at you?”
“Yeah, several rounds.”
“Damn, bro, you are way more badass than I thought.”
“Yeah, he is,” Genevieve interjected, shooting a haughty look Brendan’s way. “But I’m going to beat him to a pulp with you if he ever does anything like that again.”
Quill chuckled, studying Genevieve with an ambivalent gaze.
Brendan helped Genevieve drop some saline solution into her eyes, then sat on the floor and rubbed ointment on the soles and sides of her cut-up feet.
“Mm, Brendan, that feels so good.”
Brendan cleared his throat. “So where are we at?” He locked eyes with Quill, trying to ignore his aching arousal at the sexy moans erupting from Genevieve. “Are you working on our potential court case?”
“Yeah, I’m on all of it, but I’ll admit I’m currently distracted. I’m taking notes on how to impress women instead.” Quill waggled his brows at Genevieve. “Flash grenades and foot rubs.”
Genevieve let out a muffled giggle, massaging a hand over her tear-dropped eyes.
Quill scoffed, and Brendan shifted his gaze, questioning him with a look.
“Uh, wow,” Quill said apprehensively, “you proposed to her already?”
“What?” Brendan shook his head and followed Quill’s glare, wrinkling his brow.
Genevieve tensed, pulling her feet from Brendan’s hands. “No, I had to appease Jed.” She yanked something off her finger before Brendan could see and slid open the patio door. Marching out onto the pool terrace, she cocked her arm back and swung her hand forward like she’d tossed something over the rail, then crumpled onto a pool chair and dropped her face into her hands.
“She had a mega-sized engagement ring on her finger,” Quill whispered. “Sorry, I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He blew out his cheeks and locked eyes with Brendan. “And I know I shouldn’t say this either, but I think you should tread carefully. You believe her, but I’m not so quick to do so.”
Brendan clenched his jaw. Taking a calming breath, he wiped his ointment-covered fingers onto a towel before responding. “What would be her motive to run with me if she wanted that creep, Quill?”
“I agree—she wouldn’t have. She was desperate to get away from him, but I’m not convinced she wants you permanently, either. That’s what I’m trying to get at here. She’s one heck of an actress if you ask me. I’m hitting you with this hard because you have such a big heart. Not everyone does, Brendan. She could be after more than your protection, for all we know. I’ll point out the obvious—your money.” He glared out the window, eyeing Genevieve. “I don’t trust her, and I’m not buying the act that she’s interested in you after forty-eight hours.”
Brendan’s chest constricted, a painful stab piercing his heart. Was he missing the obvious? Was she playing him? He squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing his brow to ward off a headache. No, he didn’t believe that. His interactions with Genevieve felt real, and going with his gut had never steered him wrong before. He wanted to put a stop to this frustrating conversation with Quill and go to her, but he didn’t want to creep up on her after she’d escaped a man who did just that.
Brendan sighed, trying not to lash out at Quill for expressing his honest opinion. “And what would it take for her to earn your trust, Quill? Not that I’m giving you any power over my thoughts regarding the woman I love. ”
Quill’s brows shot up, looking at him like he’d grown a second head. “The woman you love? Are you kidding me?” He snorted. “Damn, you’re talking crazy. This is what I feared with that caring heart of yours. You don’t know this woman well enough to be head over heels, man.”
Brendan flexed his hand. “That comment I made earlier today about busting your jaw…” He nodded. “Watch it or I will.”
Quill leaned toward him. “Go for it. Bust it up if it makes you feel better. You’re my best friend, and I will always give you my thoughts straight up. You’re the one making all the sacrifices for her, not the other way around. Don’t let her into your heart until you’re one hundred percent certain she’d lay her life on the line for you, too. Actions , bro, not words.”
Brendan tossed up a hand, releasing a tight breath. “Quill, I hear you, and I appreciate it. If our roles were reversed, I’d be looking out for you, too, but you’ve got it wrong. She has been acting. She protected me in that casino to the detriment of herself, bringing on Marshal’s wrath. She tried to get me to leave her behind, fearing for my safety, not hers. She put herself in front of the bullets, shielding me with her life. She cares about me, too. This isn’t one-sided.”
Quill jerked his head back. “She shielded you with her body?”
Brendan grinned. “Yeah, she did.”
“Fuck.” Quill crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. “Now I’m a little jealous.”
Slapping him on the shoulder, Brendan walked toward the patio door. “We’ll find you the one. Don’t worry.”
Quill huffed as if ‘the one’ didn’t exist for him. “I’ll keep everything you said in mind and try to withhold judgment, but I’ve still got your back. Just like you did me when you took me in ten years ago.”
Brendan’s steps faltered, and he glanced over his shoulder, shooting Quill an astonished look. Is this what his overprotectiveness was all about? The fact that he’d provided a place for Quill to live and had given him a promising job in their late teens after his foster parents no longer wanted to care for him? That was years ago. “You don’t owe me anything. You know that, right?”
Quill nodded. “I know. Doesn’t change the fact that I respect the hell out of you and always will. Nor does it change the fact that I’ll always look out for you, just as I know you will me.” He headed for the staircase. “I’ll be up in my room. Yell if Manning stops by.” He thudded up the stairs and closed his bedroom door loud enough to let Brendan know he was gone.
Brendan took a deep breath and made his way out to the terrace, trying not to let Quill’s words shake his confidence. “Do you want company or space?”
“Company, please.”
“Sorry about Quill. He means well.”
Genevieve shook her head. “Not a problem. I just didn’t want you to think that Jed’s ring on my finger meant anything. I had to play the game until I could get out of there.” She shifted her body on the pool chair to face him. “I’ll never play a game with you. Please don’t ever think I will.”
“I don’t. I saw that guy in action. I got a glimpse of what you were up against.”
“Yeah, Jed’s crafty.” She released a drawn-out exhale. “I’d be so much happier right now if I knew where my mom was. I’m hoping she’s safe. I overheard Jed arguing with his men about how they couldn’t find her before you turned The Outlaw’s casino into a war zone.”
Brendan sat on the pool chair next to hers and grasped her hand. “I’ll alert Manning so he can have his network keep a lookout for her. Manning hasn’t had long to react to any of this, nor have I, but as soon as I can, I’ll hire a PI crew to help out, too.”
Genevieve swallowed thickly. “Thank you. Her name is Roxanne Jane Hart. She goes by Roxy.” Her face scrunched up, and she blinked her eyes like she was fighting back tears. “You have no idea how much I appreciate everything you’re doing. It means the world to me.”
Brendan nodded. His heart ached for her. He couldn’t imagine anyone he loved being in danger. In fact, he’d hired security this afternoon to watch over his close family and friends in case Jed Marshall tried that angle to get to him.
“I’m exhausted,” she whispered. “I think I’ll climb into bed.”
“Good idea. I put your duffel and office bag in the downstairs master bedroom.” He pointed toward the villa like she could somehow magically see inside. “Through the patio door, turn right, then straight through the double doors.”
She cocked her head. “You’re staying there too, right?”
“Oh no, I put my stuff in one of the bedrooms upstairs.”
“ Like hell! ”
Brendan snapped his eyes wide open. “Uh…I don’t understand. Did I do something wrong?”
“I’m not staying in a different room than you. I’m staying with you where I belong. What part of we’re together—which was your idea, by the way—do you not understand?”
“I didn’t want to assume anything, and I figured after what you’d been through that you would?—”
“Want to be next to the man who makes me feel safe. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Ah, Genevieve, I’m not sure we can keep things platonic if?—”
“I don’t want platonic. I want you.”
Brendan gulped, adjusting his glasses.
Grinning, she nibbled on the corner of her mouth. “You’re cute when you’re rattled too. I like both sides. Just so you know, no woman wants a hothead all the time.”
Brendan shifted on his chair. “I’m not a hothead most of the time. I’m…I’m…” He sighed. “I might as well tell you so if you’re not interested, I don’t get my hopes up.”
Apprehension coursed through him as she held his eyes with an inquisitive glint.
“I’m reserved, and I think things through, and until I met you, I never…” He hesitated. “I never wanted anyone intimately before. Oh, what am I even saying all this for? It’s not like you’re interested in more than falling asleep after such an intense night. I just…even if I’m in the same room as you to sleep, I want full transparency?—”
“But you are interested in me that way— intimately , right? I’m reading that correctly?”
“Yes, of course,” he whispered. “I’m crazy about you in every way.” He chuckled in defeat. “If you didn’t get that tonight, I’m not sure how else to show you.”
“That’s good because I want you too.”
“You don’t care that I’m…oh, fuck it, I’ll just say it.” He drew in a courageous breath. “That I’m a virgin.”
Her lips slowly lifted, a hint of mischief in her gaze. “I think it’s hot, Brendan.”
He closed his eyes, letting her words warm him while he nodded. “You already knew.”
“I suspected, yes. It turned me on then, and it turns me on now. Why wouldn’t I want a man who’s only interested in me?”
Brendan puffed out a relieved breath. “Okay, good. Glad it doesn’t bother you.” He rubbed the back of his neck, digging his fingers into his tense muscles. “I’ve been having nightmares since I met you about what your reaction to that might be if I ever got lucky enough to date you.”
Genevieve giggled, shaking her head. “Of all the things to worry about. You know, you really should be having nightmares about staying alive.” She flashed him a mesmerized grin and swirled her finger in the air. “The daredevil side of you outside the bedroom does concern me.” Moving onto his lap, she tossed her arms around his neck and kissed him so fiercely his brain shut down. “But if you want to be a daredevil with me inside the bedroom, go ahead,” she whispered against his lips. “You have my permission.”
Brendan groaned into her mouth and devoured her lips, finally spurring the confidence within himself to move his hands across her silky skin without hesitation.