Kace (Allen Securities) Read online

  She snorted. Victoria was right. She had been so focused on his face that she hadn’t really thought to take in the whole package.

  “Since when do you know so much about men?” Jessica gave her sister a playful pinch on the arm.

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Since I was old enough to let them break my heart.”

  Jessica sighed and looked back to the car. “They are known for doing that.”

  “Yeah, but sometimes it’s worth the risk,” Victoria said softly.

  She turned back to her wise sister and gave her a big hug. “I know.” She pulled back and put her hands on Victoria’s shoulders. “Now get a good night’s sleep, and don’t wait up.”

  Victoria grinned. “Got plans?”

  Jessica laughed. “Not yet, but it could be late.”

  The smile on Victoria’s face faltered. “Just stay safe.”

  Jessica turned and grabbed her purse. “I will. Olivia’s fiancé is sending someone over, so I’ll have two big men to keep an eye on me.”

  “Oh, is it Ryder? He’s always so nice and a really great tipper when he comes into Irene’s shop.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “Is she still avoiding him?”

  “Yup.” Victoria leaned against the door frame. “She usually has me or Taylor wait on him.”

  “Hiding behind her cousin and a family friend.” Jessica shook her head. “If she’s not interested, she needs to just say something.”

  Victoria thought for a moment. “I don’t really think that’s the problem. She’s just so shy when it comes to him.”

  “Well, she’s going to have to face that sometime,” Jessica said.

  Victoria grinned at her. “Pot, meet kettle.”

  Jessica tossed a hat at her. “So not the same.”

  “Well I’ll say this, you’re an idiot if you don’t think about it. That man out there,” she nodded to the car, “is pretty great. Don’t think I don’t know what he did for Mrs. Masing. As far as she’s concerned, you are an item. Don’t be surprised if she’s over there knitting booties for you.”

  Jessica sighed loudly. No, she wouldn’t be surprised. Actually, she’d put money on her doing exactly that.

  “And on that note, I’m out.” Jessica shut the door on her still laughing sister and carefully walked down the treacherous steps.

  When she stepped in the car, Kace silently looked ahead. He had slipped sunglasses over his eyes, so she had even less a chance of reading him. She turned and glared out the window. What did it matter? She wasn’t really looking to impress him.

  “Are we ready?” he asked.

  “Sure,” she replied dryly.

  If he wanted to be closed off, she could give him closed off.

  * * *

  Kace sat at the bar sipping his soda and watching Jessica get ready for the evening. It was pure torture seeing her move around in that dress and knowing he’d have to keep his hands to himself. She would turn at certain angles, and he could just make out the swell of her ass, driving him crazy wondering if she was wearing anything underneath. It seemed near impossible considering how low the back was and how open things were.

  It made his hands twitch to do all sorts of things to the exposed skin. His cock twitched in his pants and continued to strain against his zipper. If he couldn’t calm down soon, he was going to be in some serious pain. Shifting on the stool, he eased the pressure off that area as much as he could.

  He jumped when she leaned forward on the counter in front of him.

  “Is there anything else I can get you?” She smiled sweetly.

  Kace shook his head and tried not to look down at the open cleavage in front of him.

  “I’m good,” he said and took another drink.

  Jessica leaned across and squeezed his arm.

  “I’m glad you came in,” she said. His dick swelled a bit at her gentle touch.

  He choked a little. “Oh?”

  Jessica nodded. “It’s always so quiet in here before anyone comes, and there’s just so much room.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “Sometimes it’s just really creepy.”

  Kace puffed up a little. “Glad I could help alleviate those fears.”

  She smiled widely and slid her hand from his arm. He had to bite back a groan as her hand met the skin on his arm.

  They turned when there was a knock on the door. Kace cursed his very evident arousal.

  “You go in front,” he said. “If it’s someone up to no good, it’s best they not know I’m here, so I can get the drop on them.”

  He sighed when she nodded and walked toward the door.

  He eased off the stool and took a second to adjust himself. There was no real hiding it, but it did feel good to shift things around a bit.

  He watched through some plants as she smiled and opened the door. A larger man came in, scanning the room for trouble.

  “Damn it, Ryder,” Kace said from his position. “Maybe you should text before you come.”

  Ryder chuckled when he spied Kace.

  “Hiding behind the plant while the lady opens the door?” Ryder hitched an eyebrow at him and snorted when Kace came into full view.

  Knowing Ryder, he wouldn’t give him shit now for the massive hard on Kace was sporting, but first chance around the rest of the guys, he was fucked.

  Kace flipped him off, which only seemed to amuse Ryder more.

  “Let’s go take a seat before you break something,” he mumbled.

  Kace mumbled a few choice words back, which only made Ryder laugh harder.

  “Want a drink, Ryder?” Jessica breezed past them. Kace turned his head to look at the ugly tables sprinkled across the room.

  “Coffee if you have it,” he said.

  The two men took a seat and watched her easily move around the bar.

  “Here you go,” she said and sat the drink in front of him. “Here’s cream and sugar if you need it. If you don’t have anything else, I’ll just go in the office and get started on some paperwork.”

  They both shook their heads and watched her retreat into the back area.

  “So…” Ryder snorted. “That’s some dress she’s wearing.”

  Kace fisted his hands on his lap. It shouldn’t piss him off that Ryder had noticed, but he was one step away from beating the shit out of his brother. Of course, Reed would have been worse.

  He turned and shot him a hard look. “How’s Irene doing?”

  The two men glared at each other for a moment before Ryder threw his hands up.

  “Fair enough,” he said. “Got anything new?”

  Kace shook his head. “You?”

  “Not yet,” Ryder said and took a sip. “I’ve got a few leads on Russian movement but not enough to really confirm anything.”

  Kace nodded. “And what about the funds?”

  “Meg is running a few things and talking to some experts in the UK that have some knowledge on this sort of thing,” Ryder said quietly.

  “UK?” Kace glanced toward the back door. “How does she know these people?”

  Ryder shrugged. “Guess from school. There were a lot of other people in her computer science program.” He took another sip of his coffee. “Guess they handle this sort of thing with the banks. She’s really gotten into it.”

  “Well that’s good,” he said. “She needs something else to focus on other than Liam.”

  “No shit.” Ryder shook his head. “That girl just needs to let him go. He’s never going to leave his past behind.” He sighed. “I speak from experience.”

  Kace clapped him on the back. “Doing better than him. At least you’re trying.”

  Ryder laughed bitterly. “Lot of good that’s done me. Can’t even be in the same room as her without scaring her off.”

  “Just have to keep trying,” he said.

  A knock came from the front door.

  “That’s the staff,” Jessica called from the office.

  As he went to open the door, Kace wondered if she had heard anything else.<
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  He opened the door and a flood of people he’d seen there before came in. The little waitress from the other night slipped in. If he were going to trust his gut, he’d follow up on her.

  The muscles in his jaw clenched when he saw the finger-like bruising on her wrist. Kace followed after her but stopped when Jessica got in his path. She pulled him to the side, and he watched as the waitress slipped into the back room.

  “Did you see her arm?” he asked Jessica.

  She nodded. “It’s not the first time either. From what I can figure out, she’s leaving him and he isn’t too happy.”

  “Who is he?” Kace peered into her eyes and knew he wasn’t going to like the answer.

  “Listen,” she leaned in and whispered. “She’s a good girl. Asks to work every evening we’re open. Shows up on time and works harder than four people. Alyssa is the best employee we have.”

  “But,” he said quietly.

  “But,” she continued. “I think her boyfriend is associated with the Russians.”

  His eyes widened. “And Finn knows this?”

  Jessica winced and looked away. “Not exactly.”

  Kace didn’t like Finn, but he didn’t deserve to be lied to. “We have to tell him.”

  Her panicked eyes met his, and he sucked in a shallow breath when her hands went to his chest.

  “No, we can’t tell him,” she said. “He already thinks it’s her. Besides, if her boyfriend does this to her now, what do you think he’s going to do if she loses her job?”

  Kace knew exactly what would happen. He’d seen the woman. Beaten down both mentally and physically. A little woman like that would be lucky to come out alive. If you could even call it that.

  “Okay,” he said. “But first sign of trouble from her, we tell him.”

  “Agreed.” She nodded. “But when we do, I’d like to be on a plane to a remote location.”

  Kace grinned. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

  “So says you,” she mumbled. “You haven’t dealt with the other half as much.”

  Kace lifted her chin so that she looked into his eyes, all previous laugher gone.

  “No one is going to hurt you under my watch,” he said darkly.

  She nodded slowly and pulled away. If she felt half the intensity he tried to convey, then she would know how serious he was.

  Kace turned and headed for the door. Time for him to pull back. Things were getting personal, and he didn’t quite know what to do with that.

  He nodded to Ryder as he headed out the door. Knowing Ryder was there gave Kace a sense of peace. If he had a brother nearby, they could take on anything.

  Chapter Six

  “We’re heading out here soon,” Alyssa said from the door.

  Jessica yawned. It hadn’t been particularly busy, but she was sick of looking at numbers. Nothing ever seemed to add up like it should, and she was sick of trying to make it all work.

  She stood and stretched. “How did you do tonight?”Jessica asked, trying to keep things nice and easy.

  “Good,” Alyssa said excitedly. “I make more every night it seems.”

  She smiled at the young woman. Her cheeks were slightly hollowed, and she looked less vibrant that she normally did.

  “Enough to leave him?”

  Neither woman spoke for a moment. The air stilled. She wasn’t even sure she was breathing until she forced air out.

  Alyssa smiled. “I’m not sure what you—”

  “Your wrist,” Jessica said and pointed at the deep purple on her wrist.

  Alyssa pulled the sleeves down further.

  “Oh God. Are you going to fire me?” Alyssa crumpled on the couch.

  Jessica closed the door. “No. Why would I do that?” She sat down next to the tiny woman. “But I’m going to tell you something about myself that not many know.”

  Alyssa sniffed and looked up to her.

  “When I was younger, I was not in a good spot. My father had just been locked up, and that time, we knew it was going to be some serious time. Mom split, and there we were, little sister and I, stuck living with a grandmother from another time and place. Let’s just say living with an old Estonian woman wasn’t my idea of fun.” Jessica looked at Alyssa. Her eyes had dried up, and she seemed to be interested in her story.

  “So I met a man. I was fifteen, and he was twenty-five. He was part of my dad’s crew, so I thought I couldn’t possibly go wrong. At first it was just verbal. Talking down to me. Ditching me to be with the guys. Sex at that age wasn’t all that great to begin with, so I didn’t really have anything to compare, but looking at it now, it was shit. He was rough and mean, and it was never about me. So when he started cheating for sex, it was almost a relief.”

  Jessica sighed and leaned back. “But I was young and stupid. So I got mad and told him so.” She looked directly at Alyssa for the sign, the one that told her she knew what was coming next. She flinched and Jessica knew. “It was the first time it happened. I let it go on for a few weeks until my grandmother found out. She paid my father a visit. The only one in all those years.” Jessica laughed bitterly. “I don’t know what kind of dirt she had on him, but the whole lot pulled up roots and left.”

  She took the woman’s hand in her own and squeezed. “I can’t do what my grandmother did for me, but we do know someone who can if it comes down to it.”

  Alyssa glanced away. Fear in her eyes. “I’m not so sure he would.”

  “I am,” Jessica said without any hesitation, though she hoped to clear up the embezzlement mess first. That way, Finn would have a reason to help without suspicion about the boyfriend’s Russian ties. “You just keep that in mind. And if you can take the steps, I’ll help you the rest of the way. We’ve got room at our place. It’s not much, but it’s something.”

  Big tears welled in her eyes, and Jessica couldn’t take it any longer. She hugged the small woman to her.

  “You are stronger than this. You are stronger than him. You’ve just got to keep believing,” she whispered in Alyssa’s hair.

  Alyssa nodded on her shoulder and pulled back.

  “Thank you,” she whimpered.

  Jessica nodded and stood to pull a few tissues from her desk.

  “Want to come home with me tonight?” She handed over a few tissues. “We’d even have a police escort.”

  She winked at Alyssa who laughed.

  “I’m going to stay with a friend,” she said. “But thanks. For everything.”

  Jessica nodded. “Well the offer stands if you ever need it, and remember what I said about calling in a favor.”

  Alyssa grabbed her purse and headed for the door. “I’ll keep it in mind, but I still don’t think Finn would help.”

  She smiled weakly.

  A knock came, and they both jumped. Ryder poked his head through.

  “Am I interrupting?” He looked between the two.

  Alyssa shook her head. “I was just getting out of here. Night,” she called over her shoulder.

  Ryder opened the door wider and moved to the side.

  “Things look to be all set out here. Are you ready?”

  Jessica shook her head. “I’ve still got a little more paperwork. Go ahead and send Kace in. Just tell him to close and lock the door behind him when he comes in.”

  Ryder gave a nod. “Goodnight.”

  Jessica sighed when he left.

  That had been a harder conversation than she had expected. It had been so long since she thought about Evan. She shuddered at his name. Even now he still affected her.

  Jessica tossed herself on the couch and leaned her head back against the soft leather.

  She hoped that Alyssa would be able to beat this. No one should be able to get away with those sorts of things. Jessica closed her eyes and ignored the burning in her eyes. He wasn’t going to get one more tear from her. That was the promise.

  * * *

  Kace watched as the staff filtered out. After some time, the little waitr
ess, Alyssa, emerged and hopped into a car with a woman. He would have liked to get a glimpse of the dick who got his kicks from beating on a woman.

  He stared impatiently at the door before Ryder emerged. Not wasting time, he climbed out of the car and moved in front of the building.

  “The women were having a little meeting,” Ryder said.

  His eyebrow shot up. He hadn’t expected Jessica would confront her. Maybe she had gotten some information from the talk.

  “She said for you to come in but lock the door.” Ryder glanced at the door. “Everything is all secured. I’ve checked.”

  Kace clapped him on the back. “Thanks. Now go home and get some sleep.”

  Ryder nodded. “Liam is on tomorrow. Reed thinks if we keep rotating, they won’t know who to expect.”

  “Not a bad plan,” he said. “I guess I’ll see you in a few days then.”

  Ryder turned to walk away but stopped. “You know if you don’t come to Sunday dinner this week, Mom is going to flip her lid.”

  Kace laughed. “That’s what she told me this morning. I’ll be there.”

  Ryder nodded again and walked to his car.

  Kace turned to the building and opened the door. After he had entered and turned the locks, he flipped the switch to the lights.

  As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he moved silently though the great room. Small sconces lined the walls, shining a low beam to the floor, the office the brightest light in the building.

  When he came around to the door of the office, he stopped.

  There on the couch, Jessica lay soundly asleep, her head dipped to one side. She comfortably rested on the couch.

  Kace sighed and flipped off the overhead light, so the one from her desk was the only one on. A few minutes of shuteye wasn’t such a bad idea. He laid his gun beside him on the file cabinet and took off his jacket to put on her. She snuggled deeper into the warmth.

  He sat next to her and stared. Her long black hair spread out on the back of the couch, making her skin appear paler than it already was.

  After adjusting slightly, Kace slid down and closed his eyes. It was better to just sleep for a bit than torture himself by looking at her.