5. VIP butt kissing
Chapter 5
VIP butt kissing
TOMER
M y knuckles rap at the slightly ajar door to Shep’s office.
“Come in,” he calls, tension braided throughout his tone.
When I enter, he’s at his desk with his laptop open in front of him. By his expression, he’s unimpressed with what he’s watching.
Scratch that. Not watching but listening. He’s got one earbud in. Then again, I suppose listening doesn’t preclude him from looking.
Why am I overanalyzing this?
Silently, I take the seat across from his desk, waiting for him to acknowledge me or drift his attention from the screen.
And I wait some more.
“What are you working on, Shep?” I prompt once my patience is exhausted.
Took three seconds, which isn’t too shabby, all things considered.
He taps a key on the laptop, removes the earpiece, and finally meets my eyes over the top of his screen. “I’m relistening to the recording, hoping to find something I missed.”
Last night, Shep went to pay our Russian friend Yuri a visit, presumably at his strip club. And by friend , I mean the scourge of society who we allow to keep breathing because he’s occasionally useful and allegedly keeps his nose clean.
The gift of oxygen we bestow on him may expire soon unless he helps us find the fucker who abducted and assaulted Lettie. Judging by the look on Shep’s face, Yuri’s days are numbered.
Yevdokim Ivanovich—my primary target at present—was or is Yuri’s employee. We’re unclear about their status. Yev has long been Yuri’s right-hand man and the muscle he uses for protection or intimidation, whatever the need.Therefore, it stands to reason that Yuri will know where he is or how to find him.
If he feels like talking, that is.
For years, Yuri has maintained that he’s no longer involved with Lenkov’s disgusting criminal activities. He claims he’s making his way as an honest strip club owner. Let’s assume that’s a real thing. We all know he plays both sides, even if he refuses to admit it. There’s no other explanation for how he always seems to know what Lenkov is up to. He’s also often aware of other illegal shit happening locally. He’s come in handy for us as an intel source on multiple occasions through the years. Let’s hope that streak continues now when we need him most.
As much as I wanted to take part in an info extraction with Yuri, I opted to stay with sugar bear at home. Our last few nights have been special. When presented with the option of pumping a former mafia shitfuck for intel or watching a movie while cuddling with Lettie, the choice was easy.
“I assume he didn’t give you Yev’s location, or else you’d have called me last night.” I hold my hand out in front of me. “Correction. Whomever your designated driver was would have called me.”
A wry smile tickles one corner of his mouth. “Jonesy went with me and not as my driver. I didn’t touch a drop of Yuri’s fucking firewater.”
Yuri likes his theatrics and fucking with Shep, so he only answers one question per shot. We play along because Yuri typically provides solid intel. We’ve taken to recording the audio because Shep can’t always remember what they discussed, thanks to the aforementioned one-shot-per-question policy.
Fucking Russians.
Reacting to this interesting development, my jaw drops, and I lean forward. “No drinking? And yet Yuri spoke to you?”
Shep’s eyes narrow with menace. Now that I look closer, they aren’t bloodshot like they’d normally be after a meeting with Yuri. “Jonesy and I didn’t really give him much choice in the matter.”
Odd.
“You interrogated him with force in his club ?”
A potpourri of condescension and amusement wafts across his desk at me. “You all right, man? Considering the last time we went into the club, we jumped his goon, beat him to a pulp, and locked him in a closet, we didn’t expect they’d let us inside.”
“Duh.” Internally, I throat punch myself for my stupidity. “How did you get him?”
“We nabbed him on his way out after closing time.”
“Did he have muscle with him? Surely, he’s replaced Yev by now.”
Not that one or even two of Yuri’s guards would be a match for Shep and Jonesy, but I’m curious.
“Jonesy knocked the new goon out while I grabbed the wrinkled, no-good cocksucker and shoved him in the SUV. Even our dust cloud was gone by the time his guard knew what hit him.”
Shaking off the superfluous details, I redirect us to why I came into his office this morning. “All right. Talk to me. What did you learn that we can use to find Yev or stop Lenkov?”
Shep rubs his palm over his scalp punishingly, dragging it from the back of his head to the crown. “Not fucking much. More of his riddles. Then he shut down and stopped talking. It was either kill him or let him go. Didn’t feel like murder just yet. Not until we figure out whether his story is helpful.”
Frustration twists through my upper back muscles, making my shoulders tight and achy. After a deep breath, I roll my neck and snap out, “Elaborate, please. I have fifteen thousand other things to do. If he didn’t give up anything useful, I need to move on.”
“Easy, bud.” Shep waves his palms at me. “We got something. Problem is, I’m unsure what it means. He was even more theatrical this time.”
“Any day now,” I quip, only it’s not quite sarcasm. I’m losing my fucking cool.
All the orgasms in the world with my sugar bear can’t quell the rising tide of frustration. When I’m with her, nothing else matters. Being without her is a different story, and the gnawing need for vengeance still eats away at my insides.
Perhaps that’s another reason I’ve opted to spend my evenings with her rather than working into the night like I once did. The escape she provides is an unmatched high.
My phone signals a text from her right as Shep starts to speak.Interesting timing. Did she know my thoughts had returned to her?
Pulling out my cell, I cut him off. “Hang on, Shep. Give me a second.”
Sugar bear:
Where are you? I need to ask you something important.
Me:
Shep’s office. Same hallway as my lair.
Sugar bear:
Be right there. ??heart emoji
“Any day now,” Shep parrots my earlier words back at me.
I flip him off as I slide the phone into my pocket. “Lettie’s coming by. She needs to ask me something.”
“Now?”
“Yeah. So hold that thought.”
With his palms facing outward, he lowers his chin to his chest in a mock bow. “No problem. I know who outranks me at Redleg these days.”
My head slopes to one side at his confounding behavior. “What does that mean?”
Assuming Lettie will be here in a minute, I stand and inch toward the door.
“Lettie is Boss’s daughter. She’s officially second in command here. Hell, I’d argue that with her role in your life and his, she outranks him.” He clicks his tongue, wobbling his head. “Yeah, I’d much rather piss off Boss than piss off Lettie. If I piss her off, I gotta worry about you, Boss, and Lettie.”
Turning away from him, I drag my hand across my face, muttering, “Unbelievable. What an idiot.”
Not that he’s wrong.
By the time I get to the doorway, Lettie’s there, heart-stoppingly beautiful as always.
“Hey, sugar.”
She widens her smile, beaming her light at me and causing an irregular heartbeat. “Hiya, babe.” Her gaze cuts past me, aiming for Shep. “Sorry to interrupt. It’s sort of time sensitive. We shouldn’t be too long.”
He straightens in his chair, his chest puffed out and a bullshit smile plastered on hisface. “Good morning, Lettie. How are you today?”
If chipper birds singing on a sunny spring morning were a vocal tone, that would be what Shep just used. Give me a break.
“Well, hello there, Shepherd.” One perfectly groomed eyebrow is arched, and suspicion dances in her eyes. “I’m fine. Thank you. And you?”
“I’m fantastic. Never a problem I can’t solve. Love it here at Redleg.”
Lettie quirks her head, casting a questioning glance at me before faking a smile at the moron itching for a punch. “Glad to hear it.”
He piles his bullshit on even thicker because why stop at one layer when you can have two? “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Happy to help one of?—”
That’s it.
“Shut the fuck up, Shep. You aren’t funny.”
“Just making sure our VIP is taken care of and feels welcome.”
“Wait a damn minute,” Lettie interjects, taking two bold steps into the office. “Are you makin’ fun of me for being here every day or somethin’ as if I have dozens of other options where I’m safe?”
She’s so fucking sexy when she’s standing up for herself.
Shep’s mouth rounds, and a strangled-sounding laugh gets stuck in his throat. He stands, edging around the desk and wearing his apology like a second skin. “No, no, Lettie. Not at all. That’s not what I meant. Damn. I’m sorry. I can see why you’d think that. My bad. Ignore me. You’re more than welcome to be here.”
His apology seems sincere.
Taking pity on Shep, I help him remove his foot from his mouth while contemplating shoving it up his ass instead. “Lettie, he didn’t mean it the way you’re taking it. He was attempting to kiss up because you’re Boss’s daughter and my girl, so he’s terrified of pissing you off because we’ll rain hellfire on him. But he’s not that bright, and his execution was tragic at best.”
Lettie snort-laughs, immediately cupping her mouth to hide it. “I’m not special. I’ve barely said ten words to Boss Dad since the day we met.” She turns to me, lowering her voice. “That’s part of what I came to talk to you about.”
My throat thickens with curiosity and trepidation. I glance over my shoulder at Shep. “Give us a minute.”
Taking Lettie by the hand, I guide her out of the office, looking for a little privacy.
“Bye, Shep,” she tosses over her shoulder before turning on her patented sass.“I’ll come back for another visit when I can’t stay as long.”
Silly ass.
“Sorry again, Lettie,” he replies, an air of dejection in his tone. That’s much better than the smugness he normally exudes.
“Don’t let it happen again, or I’ll sic my daddy on you,” she teases.
With a smile I can’t repress, I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding us into an alcove down the hall.“Is everything okay?
She worries her bottom lip, her fingers twisting and fidgeting at her waist.“Um. Yes. I think.”
Taking both her hands in mine, I rub my thumbs over her knuckles and hold her eyes. “You’re safe. Breathe. I’m here.”
“You’re adorable.” She caresses my hands, her touch like the finest silk. “I’m not having a fear freak out. I’m nervous for a different reason and wanted to get your take on it.”
Surprise, surprise. I misinterpreted another situation. Fortunately, she’s used to that with me and loves me anyhow.
“What’s up?”
“Well, I was reading in our bunk room, and Peggy popped by.” Pausing, she gradually fills her lungs, adding to the suspense. “She told me Boss Dad wanted to see me if I had time.”
Strange.
“Okay. Did you go see him yet? Do you want me to go with you?”
“Stand down, sexy pants. I already did. Just left his office.”
“And?”
There’s a trill of nervousness in her reply. “He asked if I wanted to work here. Temporarily.”
My pulse instantly skyrockets like it’s jet-propelled. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused,” she retorts, a cheeky grin on her face at her first opportunity to be snarky with me.
Her humor stalls my rising panic. “Sugar bear, explain. What’s the job? What did you say?”
Seriously considering running down the hall and asking Big Al what the fuck he’s thinking. Only thing is, I’m unsure if I’m mad about the job offer or that he didn’t speak to me about it first. Then again, he’s not talking to me about much of anything these days unless it directly pertains to our mission. Lettie isn’t my property, so he doesn’t need to clear any discussions he may have with her.
Still feels wrong, though.
“ This is why I came to talk to you before answering.” Her glare sharpens, as does her tone. “You don’t like the idea of me working here, do you?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Your face says a lot, though.”
Life was much easier when no one knew what I was thinking or feeling.
“Lettie, that isn’t what this look is.” I release one of her hands to gesture at my face. “I’m confused because I didn’t know we had an opening and am wondering why he didn’t talk to me about it. However, he doesn’t have to clear anything with me, especially where you’re concerned. And you can work anywhere you want. So I don’t really have a reason to be upset. I’m surprised and mentally processing everything.”
Her features soften. “Oh. I see.” She steps closer, twisting a patch of fabric from the bottom of my shirt, tugging it toward her. “So you wouldn’t be mad if I worked here?”
The batting of her eyelashes is blatant manipulation. She’s finally reached her peak brat self-actualization level. I’m so fucked.
“As what? A bodyguard? Yeah, I’m gonna have concerns. Something else? Don’t know.”
She exhales, flapping her lips in a raspberry. With the roll of her sparkling eyes, she douses all the burning embers of frustration. It’s impossible for her to avoid being as adorable as fuck. At work or not, keeping my mouth off hers isn’t possible another second.
Leaning in, I join our lips and let her sweet sunshine surround me. She brings her hand up to cup my cheek as I indulge in three seconds more. Then four and five.
I wish I never had to stop kissing her.
When I pull back, she meets me with an inquisitive gaze. “What was that for?”
“Not kissing you was becoming painful.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were kinda sweet on me.”
No response comes to mind, so instead of saying something for the sake of it, I simply enjoy the moment while it lasts.
She breaks eye contact first, shifting a step away. “Back to the job. No it’s not as a bodyguard. It seems Peggy will be taking some time off from Redleg. She’s stressed by all the extra security precautions, and it’s taking a toll on her. Until all this mess with Lenkov passes, she’s leaving town to stay up north with family.”
“He wants you to take her place as his assistant?”
“Temporarily, yes. He said he didn’t want to bring in someone from the outside because of all the shit that’s happening, which makes perfect sense. Why put another person in harm’s way? Plus, no one with the slightest bit of self-preservation would take the job. Making it worse, it’s a terrible time for him to go without an assistant, considering the demands on him.” She lifts one shoulder in a tentative shrug. “You know how I’ve been helping people here and there with clerical shit to kill time the last few days?”
I nod.
“He noticed and figured he’d ask me to fill in for her since it seemed I was up to doing a little work. Especially since I’m sitting around twiddling my thumbs most of the time.”
My hackles rise. “Does he not fucking realize you’re recovering from a horrific trauma?”
“Of course he does. In fact, he wouldn’t let me answer right away. Told me to talk it over with you, speak to my therapist about it, and sleep on it. He’ll manage on his own until I decide or another option presents itself.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“He was clear that my recovery comes first and blah, blah, blah. If I say yes, he said I could change my mind at any time or even do short bursts of work whenever I’m feeling up to it. To be honest, he was sweet.”
“Lettie, I don’t know.” I release a sound that’s part sigh and part groan, rubbing my forehead. “That’s a lot for him to put on your shoulders.” I roll my neck, trying to rid myself of this spiking tension. “Where is your head at with it?”
She purses her lips, resembling the picture of annoyance. Still cute. “My head? A drunk llama is shitting on furniture in my head right now, Tomer.”
My mouth opens and closes like a Pez dispenser in the hands of a hyperactive toddler.
I cannot formulate a response.
Her indignant facade slowly crumples, twitches spreading throughout her cheeks and the skin around her mouth until she busts out in hysterics. When she stops giggling, she sort of explains. “Sometimes I forget you don’t live in my head and hear all the shenanigans going on up there.” She taps at her temple. “Just an ADHD mental tangent. If you want the full context later, ask me about square dancing. This isn’t the time for that.”
Still unable to access my vocal cords.
She shakes my arms playfully, jostling me. “Did I break you?” Her head flops toward one shoulder, and she feigns pity. “You poor dear. I don’t think you’d last an hour inside my head.”
“I-I-um.” Blinking rapidly, I try again. “So-we-um-I.”
Maybe she did break me?
“My drunk llama strikes again,” she tosses casually with a click of her tongue.
Her teasing finally pulls me out of my stupor. “Come here, sweetness.”
Tugging her close, I kiss her again. No clue why. Just want to, and I can’t think of a reason not to do it.She wraps her hands around my nape, toying with my hairline in a way that always soothes me. With her presence warming me like a blanket, I ease her lips apart and allow myself another indulgent taste of my Lettie.
My butterfly.
Regrettably breaking the kiss, I scoop her hair to the side and tuck it behind her ear. “I am able to speak now.”
She winks. “Glad I could help.”
Fucking love her.
I also adore how she came to talk to me about this. Knowing her the way I do, I’m shocked she didn’t make a hasty decision. Now more than ever, I’m starting to realize that the little things like these matter the most. Every day, she shows me how important I am to her.
Unable to resist, I steal another quick peck. “Back to the topic at hand. Do you want to take the job? Or not? Unsure how to turn it down? Need more time to think? Talk to me.”
“The reason I didn’t want to wait until later to talk to you about this is because today’s Peggy’s last day. I thought it would be good to shadow her while I have the chance. If she leaves and I don’t know shit about fuck, then what good am I going to be to Boss Dad or Redleg?”
Fighting off my grin, I surmise, “Sounds like you’re leaning toward saying yes.”
She folds her lower lip inside her mouth, eyes flicking toward the ceiling. “Huh. I guess so. Mostly, my thoughts have been positive about it.”
“Don’t take my next question as me saying I don’t think you’re ready, okay?”
She nods.
“Do you think you’re emotionally able to handle the responsibility? You’ve seemed much more secure roaming around the building without me for a few days now. Any fear of being on your own?”
“I suspect the time I spent in the shelter helped with that immensely. I was forced to be solo in what I knew was a safe environment. Each day I was there, I grew more comfortable. That’s carried over since being with you again. And this place...” She glances around, flicking her wrists to motion around us. “These people helped you save me. I feel incredibly secure here.”
“Well, security is in the title, so . . .”
She chuckles, her eyes twinkling in the fluorescent lighting.
“And anxiety? PTSD type symptoms?”
“Simone and I have discussed how I’ll likely have bouts of that for a while. It’s unavoidable. All I can do is manage it and work through it when it comes. In addition to my therapist, I’ve got you and my friends to help me.” Her lashes flutter as she closes her eyes and inhales through her nose. When she breathes it out a few seconds later, a palpable sense of serenity remains on her face. “I won’t stop living because of what happened to me.”
While she was talking, we linked hands again. I raise them to my mouth and feather a kiss on her knuckle. “I’m so fucking proud of you. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”
“ Nah . I’m just stubborn.” She looks at our joined hands, her lips thinning as a smile spreads. “Do you realize you just kissed my ring finger?”
“Is that a hint?”
She quirks a brow at me, and a dimple that I rarely see appears on her cheek. “You tell me.”
“Well, I need to handle my two other things first, but those seem less important the longer you look at me this way. So uh... courthouse?”
“Not a freaking chance. When you buy this cow, you’ll be doing it in a sexy tux and looking at me in my virginal white dress.”
“Can’t wait. Except the tux.”
“You’ll do it for me, won’t you?”
“Anything for you.”
“Ahem,” a deep voice pretending to clear his throat interrupts us from behind.
My spine stiffens, and I turn around to find Shep glaring at me from a few feet away. “Shit, man. Be right there. Almost done.”
Lettie has an uncanny knack for making everything else in the world disappear.
Proving his irritation a moment ago was only for show, Shep’s jovial demeanor returns instantly. “Mia just pinged me. I’ll meet you in the lair, and we can go through it there.”
Shep approaches, heading toward my office with his laptop tucked under his arm. He pauses beside us,his eyes locking on Lettie’s neck. “That’s a beautiful necklace, Lettie.”
Her delicate fingers run over the collar, happiness dusting her features. She radiates joy when she looks up at him, a tiny sway in her shoulders. “Thanks. It’s new. It was a gift.” Beautiful blue eyes shine in my direction. Hers, not Shep’s.
He grips my shoulder with his free hand, pulsing to just shy of pain. Fucker. “Excellent choice, T.”
Then he’s gone, bopping down the hall.
My eyes fall back to my love. “I should head in there. What did we decide about the job?”
“Shoot. Sorry for holding you up.”
“It’s okay. You come first. Always.”
Her cheeks flush, little specks of red spreading. “I want to do it. Try it, at least. Would that be okay with you?”
“Sugar, you don’t need my permission. If you think you’re up to it or want to try, I’m on board. There’s no safer place for you to work. Ever. My only concern is regarding your emotional health. You know yourself better than anyone. It’s up to you to decide if you’re ready.”
Lettie flings her arms around my waist, wrapping me in a bear hug and pressing her cheek against my chest. “I love you. Thank you, babe.”
Holding her close, I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “Love you too.”
“This is actually a relief. His offer, I mean. I was starting to worry about money. I don’t know if or when I’ll be able to go back to Bask. There’s a lot of baggage there because of the whole Vanessa shit. And knowing Lenkov’s guys were there asking around about me is a bit much. This will be a good opportunity for now, and it’ll help me get some experience for future career opportunities.”
That’s the first time she’s mentioned her apprehension about Bask. I’ve had a hunch she might not be comfortable there for a while. I didn’t want to ask her. Why bring up something irrelevant? I certainly have no plans to return, and I told Dante to remove me from the schedule until further notice. After everything that happened with Lettie and now the Lenkov situation, playing at a kink club is so far down the list it may as well not be there.
“Lettie, I have no problem assuming financial responsibility. Don’t rush to get a job because of money, okay? And never feel bad about asking me for anything you want.” I pull back from her hold slightly, working my fingers around the collar to give it a scant tug. “This lovely thing around your neck means I’ll care for you and provide anything you need. Remember?”
Guess I can finally get her a debit card tied to my account with her name on it. Been wanting to do that for a fucking year now.
“Yes.” She sucks in a gulp of air, possibly fighting back the emotions. “And do you remember that list I was keeping of everything I owe you?”
“I deleted it a long time ago.”
Her still-clinging grip on my waist intensifies. And keeps tightening. To the point of pain.
“Lettie, are you trying to hurt me?” I grit out, voice labored and oxygen capacity deteriorating.
“Love hurts sometimes,” she jokes, releasing her grip. “You’re a shithead, but I love you.”
“You’re a brat, but I love you.”
Her hair is mussed on one side where she was leaning against me, so I fork my fingers through it to tame the wild locks. “Are you good to go now?”
“Yeah. I am. Thank you.” She clasps her hands in front of her waist and sways her shoulders. “I’ll be at Peggy’s desk, seeing what I can learn before she bails. I have a call with Simone this afternoon, and I’ll discuss it with her. Since Boss Dad didn’t want me to decide today, if he asks why I’m over there, I’ll tell him I’m watching Peggy to see if it’s something I could do. Just a tiny white lie.”
“Big Al will soon learn no one tells Violet Holt what to do and gets away with it. Not even him.”
“Hmm. You make me sound like a badass. Perhaps Shep should be afraid to wrong me.”
A deep laugh vibrates my chest. “Sugar bear, everyone should be afraid of that.”