Dirty, Dark, & Dangerous: A Contemporary Romance Boxset

by Luciani, Kristen

  Before I leave this life, dammit, I’m going to give my son what he needs, and be the supportive father I should have been, not the shell of a man he once looked up to as his hero.

  The only problem is, I’m no hero. I’m the fucking villain.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ARIANA

  “Can you breathe in that thing?” Eva, the betrothed, asks me, obviously noticing my discomfort.

  I grin and pant my reply. “Barely. Mom picked it out.”

  She giggles and runs her hands down the front of her cherry-red sheath. It’s a stark contrast to her blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and pale skin. She looks phenomenal, like a young Charlize Theron. Bitch. “Oh, so it wasn’t your choice to dress like a prostitute. I should have known.”

  The bodice of the dress is so tight that my boobs are squeezed together and on full display. I feel like a tube of toothpaste someone has rolled up to get the last bit out. Low neckline, skintight jersey material, sky high heels. Yep, I definitely look the part of a Hollywood Boulevard street-walker. With a critical eye, I do a half-twirl in the mirror. But a classy one, so there’s the silver lining.

  “I’m glad Mom suggested that dress. It’s hot as fuck, and all of Damon’s friends have been drooling over themselves watching you shake your ass on the dance floor.”

  “I doubt that. Besides, I’m not really shaking my ass. This fabric doesn’t have enough give to make that movement possible.” I pull out a lip gloss and slide the wand over my lips, smacking them together.

  “I was hoping you would have brought a date tonight. Nothing happening with Ollie?” Eva lifts an eyebrow, her lips curled into a smirk.

  I ball up a tissue and toss it at her. “Jesus, you don’t quit. There’s nothing going on between us.”

  “Sure, that’s what you say. But I guarantee what’s going on in his huge geeky brain is very different, and it includes you dressed in a chain bikini with a dog leash around your neck and a light saber in your hand, Princess.”

  “You have a sick mind. Do I want to know what the light saber would be used for?”

  She lets out a sinister chuckle. “I don’t know, do you? Because I can paint a very colorful picture for you.”

  There are so many X-rated possibilities I’d like to explore. And the guy I want wielding that light saber is definitely not Ollie. “We’re colleagues, Eva. Nothing more.”

  She lets out a sigh. “Why? Are you afraid of something that might actually be good for you? A guy who might not be a complete jackass, who doesn’t have any baggage, who isn’t in the whole Hollywood scene, who actually displays a degree of stability?”

  I roll my eyes. “You really are a fabulous litigator, you know that? I mean, you don’t quit for anything!”

  “Stop changing the subject.”

  “Look, he’s a good guy, but there’s just no spark, okay? And you need the damn spark!”

  “The spark is overrated.”

  “Says the woman getting married to the love of her life.”

  “I’m not saying I don’t adore Damon. Or denying that we have amazingly hot sex. I’m just saying if you give something a fair shot, you might ignite the spark. It doesn’t always start with a fireworks display, but it can move in that direction if you’re open to it.”

  I sink onto a couch, my fingers digging into my clutch bag. “Is it so bad that I want the whole Fourth of July thing right at the beginning? I don’t want to go into something feeling lukewarm with the hope that it’ll get hotter one day at a time.” I press my fingers to my temples. “That doesn’t sound like much fun. And I don’t want to settle.”

  “I just want you to be happy, sweetie.” Eva kneels in front of me, and I furrow my brow.

  “How are you kneeling right now? I didn’t think your body would fold in that dress.”

  She flashes a grin. “Yeah, well, you may need to help me get up. I didn’t think this whole thing through very carefully.”

  I grasp her hands and squeeze. “You’re an amazing woman. Damon is the luckiest guy on the planet, and he knows it, too.”

  “Thanks.” She winks. “Now, get me off this floor so we can get a drink! We’re going to need about five each before Dad shows up with Boobie.”

  “You mean Bobbie.”

  “Yeah, whatever. Like nobody’s ever made that mistake before.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  JEFF

  I rub the back of my neck, staring up at the Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, knowing I need to head into the party, but unable to convince my feet to get moving. The knot is rebelling, and shooting pains are attacking each vertebra along my spine. The more anxious I get, the more stress I put on my body. I’m surprised I haven’t snapped in half yet.

  Shit is starting to go sideways. Five years in the clink have made my brain soggy. Why did I think making Ariana’s client an accessory to my own personal quest for justice was a good plan? And how in the fuck did Ollie screw up the surveillance? It was the one thing he needed to deliver. All his excuses about remote access and firewalls and encryption went completely over my head, but the bottom line is we still need to get inside of Conlon’s office. Ariana is the missing link. And if her client had kept her legs closed to begin with, I wouldn’t have had to come knocking.

  But I did, and now I can’t stop thinking about the one woman I need to forget.

  I rake a hand through my hair. Christ, what the hell am I even doing here? Hey, everyone, this is my dad, the dishonorably discharged FBI agent-slash-ex-con. Who wouldn’t want to marry into that family? A frustrated sigh escapes my lips. This isn’t about me. Tonight is for Damon and his fiancée. I have a lot to make up for, and it all starts now. I glance at my watch, not wanting to go into the party a second earlier than I have to. I can lose myself in the crowd, fly under the radar, have a couple of drinks, and get the fuck out. Just like a ghost. There, but not there.

  “Jeff!”

  I jump, twisting in the direction of the high-pitched voice invading my thoughts.

  “You’d better not be thinking of doing anything other than walking through that revolving door.” I sigh. Of course, it’s Kate, always making an entrance, even for her only son’s wedding shower. She stops in front of me, hands on her hips.

  “I was just waiting for you. I figured you’d be fashionably late.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Sure you were. Just get the hell inside. No disappearing acts tonight. This is too important to him.”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?” I hold out my arm and she links hers through mine. “How the hell am I supposed to be invisible with you hanging on me looking like that?”

  “If that’s supposed to be a compliment, I’d say you need to work on your delivery.” She pats my hand. “But, thanks. By the way, I heard about your little meeting in the park.” Kate leads me toward an elevator bank. We must really be late, since there aren’t any other partygoers joining us as the doors open. She pulls away and walks through the open doors.

  I fix my jacket and shrug. “I know you don’t believe this, Kate, but he’s really important to me. You both are, which I shouldn’t even have to tell you.”

  “People who act like they care don’t get called out on their behavior,” she snaps. Her shoulders deflate and she raises both hands in a truce. “No. I’m not doing this tonight. You’re here, and that’s what matters.”

  Something tells me I’ll have plenty of opportunities tonight to try and convince Kate that I’m not a heartless fuck, so I let it go. “You didn’t bring a date.”

  Her glossed lips curl into a half-grin and she shakes her long, red hair over her shoulder. “My date is actually away on business. He was going to fly in early to come tonight, but I didn’t want Damon to meet him at the same time his future in-laws do. It’s not the right time or place.”

  My chest tightens. I was always a crappy husband and father, so why I feel the least bit disturbed about some other guy fucking my ex-wife is a mystery to me. Our divorce was a long time coming, and
being sent to prison was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “He’s a lucky guy,” I choke out. And he is. Kate is gorgeous, with her tall, lithe figure, peach cream skin, and bright blue eyes. She’s a marathon runner, so she’s always stayed thin and toned, with a stamina that served us well in the bedroom. But that was many moons ago. I’m glad she’s happy. Kind of.

  A smile lights up her face. “Thank you. Things are really good right now.” Her fingers wind around my arm. “And speaking of being happy, you need to meet Eva, Damon’s fiancée. She’s an incredible woman, absolutely adorable, and a shark in the courtroom.”

  “Another lawyer, huh?”

  “That’s how they met. Opposing counsel.”

  I take a lot of pride in my son’s work. When he was a little boy, we always talked about being on the same side of justice – me finding the criminals, him putting them away. But in recent years, the lines have gotten a little blurred, and I’m no longer sure what side of justice I stand on these days.

  I pull open the ballroom door and scan the dimmed room at the smiling, happy faces. Kate leads me into the center of the room, where I catch a glimpse of Damon with his arm around a giggling blonde. But it’s the woman standing to her left that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Luscious tits, curves for days, tight, toned legs I want to feel wrapped around me as I drive into her. Ariana Carlson.

  You have got to be fucking kidding me.

  My sole objective has immediately gone from playing the role of dutiful and charming dad to protecting my very questionable cover.

  As we weave through the tables and guests, Ariana moves her head just enough to lock gazes with me. Her mouth drops open and then snaps shut. Panic is etched onto her face. Maybe she thinks she’s about to get another eyeful of porn. At her own sister’s shower. Her eyes narrow as we approach, her body stiff as a board. I can definitely do something about that.

  Damon turns toward us. “Mom, Dad, you’re here.” He grasps Eva’s hand. “Eva, this is my father, Jeff.”

  I drag my eyes away from Ariana’s shocked ones and lean in to brush my lips against Eva’s cheek. “It’s great to finally meet you. Congratulations.”

  Damon claps me on the back, and puts an arm around Ariana. “And this is Eva’s sister, Ariana. She runs her own PR firm in town. I’m actually glad you were able to fit this in tonight with all the A-listers you have to handle.” He winks at her and she manages to smile back.

  I stick out a hand and Ariana grasps it after a moment’s hesitation. The jolt that makes a beeline for my groin is a little disconcerting, to say the least. It’s a handshake, for fuck’s sake. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” she murmurs, yanking her hand away. She averts her eyes, something I’ve noticed she does a lot when she wants to hide what’s lurking behind them. But this time I need to know. I want to see what she’s trying to hide.

  “Very impressive,” Kate says, edging between us. It’s a territorial move, and a confusing one at that, considering she made it very clear years ago that I was an unfit husband not worthy of her time or her pussy. But her body language sure ain’t singing that song right now, not with her ass rubbing against my cock. “Being an entrepreneur out here takes a lot of hard work. Good for you.”

  Ariana clears her throat. “Thanks. I’ve been pretty lucky. And yes, my clients definitely keep me busy.” Her eyes skate back toward mine, and I can feel Kate slide even closer to me. “Fortunately, things are pretty calm right now.”

  “Until you see the papers tomorrow.” Damon chuckles, and Eva nudges him.

  “I don’t sleep very well most nights.” Ariana takes a gulp of champagne from the flute clutched in her hand. “Occupational hazard.”

  I’d like to be the reason she loses a few hours’ sleep…

  But first, I need a drink. Or five. And I need Kate to step away from my dick.

  Eva links her arm with mine. “Come on, Jeff. Let’s hit the bar. Looks like you can use a drink. Am I right?”

  The kid’s a charmer, that’s for sure. I can tell right away that she’ll be great for Damon. One thing I’ve always prided myself on is the ability to read other people. It’s worked for me ninety-nine percent of the time. It’s that other one percent that continues to haunt me.

  In the meantime, I’m going to get to know my future daughter-in-law.

  Eva surveys the group. “Ari, you’re dry, too. Let’s go. Anyone else?”

  “I’m going to introduce Mom to some of the guys from work,” Damon says, putting an arm around Kate’s shoulders. Her eyes flicker with something I can’t quite read, and I swear I can see sparks fly out as she gives Ariana a once-over. What the fuck? I’ll never understand women. She’s the one who left me. She’s the one who’s getting fucked six ways to Sunday by her new boy-toy. I’m missing something. Seems like that’s been happening more than I like lately.

  Eva leads me to the single open area of the bar. She turns to me, a mischievous sparkle in her bright eyes. “So, what are you having? Oh wait! Let me guess. Scotch man, right?”

  I smirk. “Looks like you’ve got me all figured out. I don’t know if I should be impressed or scared.”

  She giggles. “Damon gave me a heads-up. Ari, more champagne?”

  I feel the warmth of Ariana’s body next to me, a cloud of some intoxicating scent swarming around my head, and I’m already half-drunk with lust.

  Eva hands us our drinks. “Cheers, guys. Jeff, I’m so happy to finally meet you.” She takes a long sip of her champagne, her penetrating gaze focused on me.

  I take a quick gulp of the amber-colored liquid and let it burn a slow path to my stomach. Something tells me she and her sister have something in common, and I need to be prepared.

  “So, Damon tells me you’re a private investigator now. What’s that like? Do you track lots of criminals? Or is it mainly cheating husbands?”

  I sip my scotch, noticing Ariana studying me out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes narrow, and I know she’s suspicious. My bullshit diatribes have been pretty outrageous, and she’s not buying what I’m not selling. Just like I said, smart girl. “My cases aren’t of the domestic variety. There’s plenty of cheating out here, but most of the time, the tabloids do a good enough job of airing celebrity dirty laundry. They don’t really need a PI nosing around for dirt.”

  Eva giggles and sips her champagne. “Okay, so you’re more about catching the real low-lifes.”

  “I’m more about making sure justice is served, especially when others who are supposed to be on the right side of the law aren’t carrying out their mission.” Like those assholes at the FBI. My former brethren. The ones who kicked my ass to the curb for doing my job because it interfered with their own personal financial well-being. Guess what, asswipes? You didn’t stop me. You can’t stop me.

  “So you’re kind of a vigilante. That’s hot.” Ariana finally speaks up, a tiny smile tugging the corners of her shiny pink lips upward. I catch the look on Eva’s face, and fight a smirk. It’s kind of a cross between shock and relief.

  “It’s definitely respectable. Too many organizations are on the take these days, and they’re forgetting their real purpose. There’s so much corruption out there. Although, I have to ask you not to share any details, considering I am a lawyer and all.” Eva winks. “If I ever have to defend you one day, I can’t know anything illegal you’ve done in the name of justice.”

  Ariana has already finished her champagne and grabbed another flute off a nearby tray. Her eyes are glued to me, and I can tell they are desperate to peel back every layer. But as much as she thinks she wants to hear more, she won’t be able to handle it. Neither would most people. What I do is suicide for pretty much any kind of relationship. Case in point – Kate and me.

  “Maybe it’s time for you to do some mingling then, you know, just in case he starts to let things slip.” Ariana turns toward her sister with a conspiratorial smile. “You’ve got lots of guests here who want to meet
Damon. I’ll keep your future father-in-law occupied.”

  Eva’s mouth drops, her eyes wide. I take it this isn’t normal, expected behavior for Ariana, and I fucking love it. “Um, sure. You’re right.” She lets out a forced laugh. “I’d hate to have anything on my conscience, tonight of all nights.” She gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you so much for coming tonight.”

  It hasn’t happened yet, but fuck me sideways, I’m open to the possibility.

  Ariana downs the rest of her champagne and hops onto an available barstool behind her. She struggles slightly with the effort, and I suspect it’s because she doesn’t have much mobility in the dress she’s wearing. The one I’d like to tear from her body right about now.

  “Vigilante, huh?” She twists a loose curl around her finger.

  “I never said that.”

  “But you didn’t deny it, either. You’re like Daredevil, taking it upon yourself to make criminals pay because the authorities are too shady and can’t be trusted.”

  “I’m not a lawyer. And I’m not blind.”

  “Yeah, but you’re principled. I can tell.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I’m a pretty good judge of character. I have to be, you know? I can’t just take on any client. The really high maintenance ones aren’t worth the aggravation. I do my research, and I know which ones will be the most work for me. The ones I pass over are the ones I know won’t play by my rules.”

  “So you have rules.”

  “Mm-hm.” Her voice drops, eyes hooded. “I have lots of rules. And if you violate even one, you’re out.”

  Her voice is filled with innuendo, courtesy of the champagne, and if I had my way, she’d be naked on that bar right now, open wide and begging me to plow into her. Yeah, right about now, all rules would be out the window.