Chapter 17 ARES
“Your new mercenaries are keeping their noses clean,” Alica Doyle glanced up from her screen, giving him a wry smile.
Ares trampled down the instant irritation he felt, but when he glanced up from his screen, he realized that his trusted lawyer was trying to get his attention back to her.
They were in the private room upstairs at a bar Alicia suggested.
It wasn’t private enough. The noise and music from a bustling crowd floated upstairs.
He wasn’t in a joking mood. “Dax’s team aren’t mercenaries.” Those guys rescued people, sometimes objects, but so far, they hadn’t had to employ his sweepers to clean up their messes.
Ares’s secret, off the books team, did whatever it took to protect the people who worked for them.
Like the time his team came in to save Logan by staging a heart attack. The countless times his team had cleaned up after Quinn and Erik.
“Sorry, I’m distracted.”
“I noticed.” Alica stood, sweeping the files into her briefcase.
Ares swallowed, thinking of how close Quinn’s little sister had come to not getting out of that club. If it wasn’t for Erik Knight, she could have been hurt.
“But before we move on, you know the consequences if the asset does not decide how we want her to.”
“I know.”
“There has been no press about the asset, so if they had family, they don’t care or gave up.”
Ares frowned. He recalled that Quinn’s ex had a family, a sister.
“There’s a sister.”
“You know it’s easier when there is nobody who will go to the press.”
“Nothing that’s happened before.”
He strolled over to the railing, turning so he had his back to the noise downstairs and faced Alica.
“You know the authorities’ position on this. If you had over the asset or anti-asset technically, they’ll be happy to claim it but there’s a strong possibility that the incident at the nightclub will resurface and that will make them look bad because we were successful when we buried the story.”
“All I can do is keep telling my team to apply pressure and take the deal.” Ares bit the inside of his cheek. Who wouldn’t take a bank account full of cash, a new identity, and a tropical climate over prison?
“Next issue. I heard a rumour that Ryder Klassen is being recruited.”
Ares turned to survey the crowd below him. The restaurant was decorated with black Christmas trees on every table and blue lighting. It was gloomy and he wanted to be somewhere else, anywhere else. He caught sight of a table near the bar and his heart gave a leap.
Josie.
His blood roared through his veins. It had been an entire week since he’d had any contact with her. He wanted to jump the railing and roar.
“Not surprising.” Their technology was part of the public facing side of the business and they hired the best. All he could do was hope that Ryder came to them and they could up the offer he received.
“The visa is in order for Ida.”
His heart jumped in his chest as the dark head of curls turned. It was hard to see her face from where he stood, but with her arms crossed over her chest, she didn’t seem happy.
All week he had longed to hear her voice. But she hadn’t texted him once.
The man across from Josie placed his hand on her shoulder.
Fury spiked his blood. He wanted to rip that hand off and carry her over his shoulder caveman style out of this place.
“Did you hear anything I said?” Alicia stood next to him, following his gaze. “Ahh.”
“I got distracted.”
“You deserve a distraction, Ares.”
The wistful note in Alicia’s tone made him glance at her, and she shook her head. Logan had mentioned it once that he never noticed when women flirted with him. His laser focus kept his priorities where they had to be, and didn’t allow him to casually flirt.
“I never knew.”
Alicia shrugged. “I don’t mix business and pleasure, ever, but you could have swayed me.”
Ares laughed. “Thanks, I think.”
“Is she in tech?”
“No, she’s a chef.”
Downstairs, Josie stood from her seat. The man next to her pulled her close to him and his heart beat in double time.
“Lucky girl.”
“I didn’t text her. I should have.”
Alicia lets out a low whistle. “Yeah.”
When he saw the other man grab her shoulder, that was enough for him.
“Call me next week,” Ares brushed by Alicia, taking the stairs two at a time. He made his way through the packed restaurant in time to see Josie grabbing the edge of the table to balance herself.
In two steps, he was behind her.
“I’m leaving now.” She bit her lip, sniffling.
“Josie, if you’d just listen to us—” Carter grabbed Josie’s arm.
Josie stumbled, making the table wobble, spilling their drinks.
“The lady said she’s leaving.” Ares stared at the two men. The guy he’d never seen before took a step back.
“Ares, what are you doing here?” Her dark eyes flashed with anger, but she didn’t pull her hand out of his when he laced his fingers through her clammy hand.
“Josie, we didn’t mean anything—” Carter said.
“Let’s go, pretty girl,” Ares stood behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“It’s been fun guys, but this conversation is over.”
“Josie, I needed to talk to you,” the man went to put his hand on her, but before he could, Ares spun, putting himself between her and the man. “She said she’s leaving now. Get your hand off of her or we’re going to have a problem.”
He felt Josie stiffened beside him. Carter raised an eyebrow. His grip tightened slightly before he let go. “We’re just trying to help.”
“I didn’t ask for your help. I told you I don’t need it.” Josie said.
“We’ll talk later,” Carter said.
“Did you hear her? She said no thanks,” Ares snapped.
Carter stepped back. “Fine. Our next conversation will be about increasing your rent.”
Josie’s shoulders stiffened, but she continued staring straight ahead.
Ares grabbed Josie’s hand and speed walked her through the restaurant.
“Slow down!”
He slowed his pace by a fraction and pushed open the doors of the restaurant, pulling her beside him.
“That’s better.”
The air was cool, and a drizzle of icy rain was coming down. He marched her to the parking lot.
“I was on my way out.”
“I’m happy to escort you.”
“Hey! I don’t need to be rescued.”
The streetlight cast a yellow light on her face, showing a track of tears. Her mouth was set and her eyes were blazing, an angry storm.
“Fine, consider yourself captured.” He snaked his hand in her curls, tugging her close to him, then he leaned down and sealed his mouth over hers, kissing her with all the angst he felt.
Her taste, the feel of her mouth, all of what he’d been craving since the last time he’d kissed her flooded his senses.
He brought her so close to him that there was no space between them and with a little sigh, her body softened against his.
But she tore her mouth from his and pushed him away.
“You didn’t text me.”
“I’m sorry,” Ares cupped his palm against her cheek. “You deserve all the texts and calls in the world. I didn’t mean to be the guy that made you wait.”
“But you did.” She had the most adorable pout. He wanted to kiss it away. “I guess I could have messaged you too.” She gave him a small smile and his heart lifted.
“From now on, I’m going to show you exactly how much I want you. How you’re mine.”
“Yeah?” Josie’s face broke out into a grin.
“Yeah. How do you feel about tracking devices?”
“That’s not a normal question,” her lips twitched.
He leaned in, locked eyes with her, and brushed his lips over hers, kissing her gently. “I’m not a normal guy. I’m the kind of guy who has tracking devices at my disposal and bodyguards. Are you good with that?”
Josie laughed. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. I can’t go another second not knowing where you are. I’ve been afraid,” Ares swallowed, hating himself a little for saying it. It sounded weak.
“Of what?” Josie squeezed his hands.
“Of making any demands on you. No other woman has understood my loyalties to my brother. But you said you did. I thought because you were giving me that, I couldn’t ask for more. I didn’t want to stress you out.”
“You could have asked.”
“You’re right. That was foolish of me.” He traced her lips with his finger before kissing her again. Slowly this time, deeper, he twirled his tongue around hers, until she made those soft mewling sounds.
“I still live with my mom. I understand you being loyal to Xander.”
He traced her jawline. “It’s not the same.”
Josie shrugged. “No. I don’t think I can ever understand the bond you have with your brother, but I can respect it. I’m not some helpless damsel in distress. I don’t need you to be my everything.”
“But I want to be your everything.” Ares kissed her cheek, her lips, her brow.
Josie laughed. “I don’t need to be the kind of woman who expects you not to have any other relationships or obligations. Clear?”
“Crystal. I’m happy we’ve communicated.”
“Me too.”
The grin she gave him melted away the remnants of his bad mood and matched the goofy smirk he had on his face. He stroked her hair. “Do I need to worry about those guys in there?”
“No, they’re harmless. Another guy who thinks I need help that I didn’t ask for.”
“Those guys suck. I know how much you love being given help you didn’t ask for.”
“Thanks for understanding,” she squeezed his hand.
“You don’t have to thank me for that. Are you worried about your rent going up?” The icy rain fell harder and Ares wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close.
“I think Carter is just blowing off steam. He had an idea; it didn’t work but I think he’ll respect the agreement we have. I might have hurt his feelings.”
“Poor man baby.” The guy made Ares want to punch something. But if Josie felt the situation was handled, he’d trust her until Carter gave him a reason to interfere and a part of him hoped the guy would.
“Now what?” she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Come home with me, Josie.”
“Will you tie me up?” She tilted her head to the side and peered up at him under her long lashes.
“If you want.” The way all his blood went straight to his cock was at odds with how nonchalant he made his tone.
“I want.” Her fingertips trailed down along his chest, stopping above his belt buckle. “And I want to suck you.”
“Keep talking to me like that and I’m going to tear your clothes off right here.”
“I think you can contain yourself.”
“You’re wrong, baby,” he growled. His hand cupped the back of her neck and brought her back to him again.
His mouth crashed against hers, tasting her again, deepening the kiss as she whimpered against him, her breath hot and making his cock jump against his zipper.
He needed this woman with him, every second of every day.
Ares slung his arm through Josie’s and walked her to her car. “Stay right behind me all the way home. The rain is picking up.”
“I’ll be fine,” Josie gave him a quick peck on the cheek and unlocked her car. Ares held the door open for her, making sure she buckled up.
“I can’t wait to spend the night with you. I’m texting the people I live with to make sure they keep their clothes on.”
Josie’s cheeks brightened, and her laugh eased his worries. “Good idea.”
Ares closed her door, gave her a wave, and before he started his car, he fired off a text.
I’m bringing Josie home. Please keep your activities to your room.
[Xander] Are you telling me what to do in my own house?
Yes.
Irritation swarmed up in him, making him tense. His brother could be such an asshole. His phone chimed a minute later.
[Xander]: Fine. Logan is out on painkillers. We’re watching a movie downstairs. Clothes will be on.
Good.
[Xander] Go get her, brother.
Ares laughed despite himself. He had to trust that Josie meant what she said, and she accepted how things were between him and his brother.
That she accepted his world. Well, what she could know about it anyway.
For now, that was good enough for him. He couldn’t wait to give her another night she never forgot.