Robin Bielman: Veiled Target

“You wouldn’t be able to handle the three of us. Trust me.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“I do.”

“Anything you don’t know?” he asked, because despite knowing he shouldn’t keep baiting her, he couldn’t stop himself. She worried her lips in a most fascinating way when flustered. And when she used them to talk? He wanted to shut her up—the good old-fashioned way—with a kiss.

She eyed him for a few seconds. “I’m on the fence about who’s going to win Survivor .”

He laughed. Out loud. He couldn’t remember the last time a woman had gotten him to do that. And then his eyes betrayed him by roaming down to the low-cut neckline of her dress. A dress she didn’t appear comfortable wearing—which only made her more attractive. He took in her tanned, toned arms, watched her drink her ale like it was water and knew without a doubt he’d find her outside doing something physical rather than indoors painting her nails. Which, he noticed, were void of color.

He was about to offer his Survivor prediction when his sense of smell drew him to the entrance of the bar. Dane strolled in, looking tenser than he had earlier in the day. His mouth was drawn tight, his thick eyebrows furrowed. Did he have news about Trey?

So far, Hugh’s inquiries into Trey’s whereabouts had turned up little. News of the Wolf Seekers initiating a fight continued to circulate, and in light of Trey’s absence, the talk was taken seriously this time. The Seekers had never resorted to abduction before, but Hugh wouldn’t put it past them.

“A friend of yours?” Tess asked, probably wondering what had led his eyes elsewhere.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t mind if you want to go talk to him.” A hint of disappointment sounded in her voice.

“I’ll just be a minute.” He’d told Dane where he’d be tonight and that if anything important came up to let him know right away. He’d meant by call or text, but far be it for Dane to keep his nose out of Hugh’s business.

Before he could get up, though, Dane located his position and took quick strides to the table. His gaze darted to Tess before he spoke.

The flash of appreciation Hugh saw in Dane’s eyes as he glanced at Tess sent a jolt of anger through him. His jaw clenched. Sensations he didn’t know existed riled his stomach.

“Hey. Sorry to interrupt your date…Trey. But I need to have a few words with you.”

Tess didn’t hesitate to slide out of the way to make room for Dane. “I’ll just go use the ladies room.” She smiled at Hugh as she left, but made no effort to hide her scrutiny of Dane.

Hugh’s interest in her just shot through the roof.

“What is it?” he barked. For fuck’s sake, he didn’t do interest.

Dane took the vacated spot across the table. “I’ve got a lead on where Trey might be. It’s a warehouse not far from here. A couple of guys from the Westside told me they’d gotten wind of a kidnapping. It seems the Wolf Seekers aren’t trying to keep a low profile.”

“Is it within walking distance?”

“Yeah. About five blocks.”

“Give me a few minutes to finish things with Tess and we’ll go.”

“Did she have any useful information?” Dane’s doubtful tone told him he already knew the answer.

Hugh had grown up with Dane, the two only a year apart in age, and he’d never liked his condescending attitude. “I’m not sure yet. She might know something she doesn’t realize can help us. I’m thinking about telling her I’m not Trey.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“The fewer people that know about Trey’s disappearance, the better.”

He had a point, but Hugh’s gut told him he could trust Tess. And more importantly, he couldn’t say goodbye to her under false pretenses. Not if he wanted to see her again.

Did he want to see her again? Hell.

Dane narrowed his eyes. “Don’t do it. You came here for one reason and one reason only. To get information. Cut her loose.”

For their entire lives, he and Dane had offered each other advice. Nine times out of ten, they each did the opposite. It was a pride thing. An I-know-better-than-you rivalry that existed even though Hugh was in charge of the pack now. But as much as he hated to take the advice, Dane was right. This wasn’t a real date. It was a means to an end. He needed to keep up the charade and stop enjoying himself.

“Have a seat at the bar and I’ll be ready in five.”

Sliding from the seat, Dane said, “I’ll give you ten.”

Asshole.

He watched Dane leave and wondered if push came to shove whether Dane would remain loyal. He’d made no secret of his anger where Trey was concerned. Dane thought he deserved to be next in line to lead the pack. But before Hugh could give any more thought to that, a flash of blue caught his attention.

The dress Tess wore hugged her body like a second skin. While most men might find her walk unladylike, he found it sexy as sin. The way she moved sent a surge of desire straight to his cock. He pictured himself pulling the tie in front of the dress and unraveling the wraparound design. Pictured her beneath him. Naked. Writhing with pleasure while he sank inside her, again and again.

Stop. He needed to put a halt to the lust bubbling inside him, but goddammit, just glancing at her made him hot.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, her shoulders looking provocative as they moved back and forth when she sat.

Shoulders, for fuck’s sake.

“Yes, but—”

“Are you sure? Because you look a little funny.”

“Yes, but I need to cut our date short.” Not want. Need. He stupidly wanted to spend more time with her. Blue eyes that had pierced him with eagerness and warmth now dulled to a muted shade of gray.

“Oh,” she said, those sexy shoulders slumping. “I see.”

It pained him to hear her sound so dejected. He wasn’t rejecting her. “What do you see?”

She threw her head back and laughed as if she didn’t give a shit. “I guess I failed at the blind date. You had your friend come in to bail you out if you weren’t having a good time. I get it. That’s okay. I’m—”

“That’s not—”

“ —fine with that. Really. It’s no big deal.” She opened her purse, pulled out a few dollars and slapped them on the table.

Hugh reached out and covered her hand with his. “That’s not what’s happening here.” Wicked-good vibrations shot up his arm and swarmed every inch of his flesh. His breath hitched. He locked eyes with her, and for a moment time stood still.

She didn’t move her hand, didn’t pull back from him, and he was grateful.

Her eyes studied his like her life depended on it, and he hoped she saw the sincerity there. “Then what is?”

Never before had he wanted to disappear with a woman—to sweep her off her feet, take her to the mountains, and forget anyone else existed but the two of them. His head swam, the muscles in his back tightened.

He’d only just met her.

“A friend of mine is missing and I need to go find him.”

He paid close attention as her eyes slid to his mouth, then up again, as if she could read the truth on his lips. Intensity had returned to the swirling blue of her irises.

“I can help you find him,” she offered, confidence and solicitude in her voice.

Hugh lifted his hand from hers. “I don’t need your help.” This wasn’t a game. He didn’t need any neighborly support. And he sure as hell didn’t need her around to distract him.

She slowly pulled her arm back, sliding her palm along the table but leaving the money in place. “You don’t understand. I really can help you. I’m…” She paused and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m a private investigator.”