Taggart jerked his gaze up. Rhodes studied him with his inscrutable green-eyed gaze. The scar that ran along the right side of his face from his cheek to under his jaw made him only more compellingly handsome. But as usual, the look made Taggart want to know what he was thinking. It baffled him that he seemed to want to know what was in Rhodes’s thoughts.
“You’re normally clothed. Not to mention all rigid.” Taggart put his hand up under his chin and made a choking noise.
“Pot calling the kettle black.” Rhodes made his own gesture as if he was straightening his tie, then wiped down his chest. “Mister ‘always in a suit that is pressed just so’. I wear mostly jeans and a T-shirt, so I’m not the one with anal issues.”
“There are so many things I could say to that, but I’m going to resist.” Taggart inclined his head. “True, I wear a suit, but you usually see me when I’m coming here from work. At least I know how to relax when I’m off the clock.” Taggart strolled to the steps going up, stopping when he was just below where Rhodes stood. “Even when you’re in jeans and T-shirt—hell, even half-naked as you are now—you still have this persona that makes it seem like there’s a stick up your ass. Every time I’ve seen you, even when you’re not working but supposedly relaxing, you’re always so tightly wound.”
“No need to repeat it over and over again. I can hear very well.” Rhodes flicked his braid over one muscular shoulder before crossing his arms over his chest. “Is there a reason you’re here today? Seeing as it’s the day after Thanksgiving and most normal people who are lucky enough to have a day off would be lying at home being lazy.”
Taggart figured Rhodes knew he was off because of Rhodes’s close relationship with the Berkus brothers. Rhodes worked for Lawrence and was one of his best friends. Taggart knew Lawrence well too, but he and Aristotle were closer as best friends and Aristotle was sort of Taggart’s ex.
“I could say the same for you.” Taggart gestured to the house. “Why aren’t you resting?”
“Because someone”—Rhodes looked at Taggart pointedly—“decided to come for a visit.”
“You don’t look like you were asleep.” Taggart grinned. “I have some information for you. Del said you needed it right away.” He held out the file.
Rhodes unfolded his arms and accepted the file, glancing at the closed folder, then to Taggart. “Might as well have some coffee.” He turned and walked away.
Taggart followed him the length of the wraparound porch, then to the back. Rhodes gestured to the smaller table with two chairs on either side. He placed the file on a chair. Taggart took a seat in the other and glanced toward the other end of the porch, where there was a larger table with many chairs around it. He recognized the bold lines of the style of the chairs and table as Aristotle’s. He looked toward the open kitchen doorway, and in the slight distance he could see Rhodes as he poured coffee into two mugs.
Taggart lifted his voice so Rhodes could hear him, saying, “I take mine—”
“Black with two spoons of sugar.” Rhodes lifted his head to look at him briefly before lowering it again to focus on the cup. “All that sugar makes it way too sweet, in my opinion, but to each his own.”
“At least I don’t water it down with that creamer crap you use.” Taggart saw him reach for the creamer and pour it in.
“No knocking my choice of creamer.” Rhodes set down the bottle and picked up the two cups.
He walked toward the door and in moments was outside. Rhodes set the cups on the table, and picked up the file before he sat in the chair. Taggart picked up his cup of coffee and sipped as Rhodes reviewed the file. While he did, Taggart appreciated the warmth of the California sun. He leaned back deeper into the chair, enjoying how comfortable it was.
“Aristotle makes really great chairs.” Taggart thought of Aristotle, who had made the furniture, and made a mental note to ask him if he had any chairs like the one he was sitting in. He could use it for his living room.
“Yeah, he does,” Rhodes replied absently. He reached for his own cup and sipped as he read.
Taggart went back to his own cup of brew and drank as he looked at the captivating landscaping. It was very relaxing here. That was strange, especially because of who he was with. He glanced over and was surprised to find Rhodes studying him.
“This could have waited until another day.” Rhodes held up the folder. “What’s the real reason you’re here?”
“Needed to get out of my house.” Taggart was shocked he’d admitted it.
Rhodes studied him a moment more, then spoke again. “If you feel the need to get out of your house and come here again, bring your dogs.”
“If there is one, I will.” Taggart drank his coffee.
“How much flak are you going get for what you did to Bill Lowry?”
Instinctively Taggart clenched his fingers around the cup, then relaxed. Bill Lowry was a dirty cop who was a disgrace to the badge. He’d forsaken the oath Taggart and other law enforcement followed—to protect and serve. He’d badly abused his niece Anna. The little girl had been hurt physically and emotionally by her uncle, and she was permanently physically scarred. Anna had gotten away from California with Taggart’s help and some legal maneuvering Del had done. She was now safely away in Texas with Grayson—Taggart’s brother—who had adopted her. Taggart knew Anna’s emotional healing was something Grayson was working on to make sure she would get past her trauma. He would make sure that Billy would never hurt Anna again.
Billy was a major scumbag who should’ve been locked up a long time ago. After he called in the anonymous tip that got Billy arrested, Taggart had waited to see what would happen. The satisfaction of seeing Billy in cuffs hadn’t made the rage at what Billy’d done dissipate. Taggart breathed out slowly. For now it was enough that Billy was in jail. Taggart planned to make sure he stayed there. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I watch the news and I’m sure, even though it was Thanksgiving, many others did too.” Rhodes sipped his drink before saying calmly, “Personally I would have killed him. Taken my knife so it was up close and personal as I gutted him and watched his life drain out of his body.” He took another drink, swallowing before he spoke again. “Then again, that’s just me.”
“I promised someone not to do anything to directly physically harm Billy.” Taggart stared at him and smiled, knowing it wasn’t pleasant. “But if the justice system doesn’t do its job, I will do what must be done.”
“Your first statement is so carefully worded—not to ‘directly physically harm’. Makes me wonder what you hope will happen to him in jail. His arrest happening on a holiday was convenient since, with the courts closed, they wouldn’t be able to arraign him. So he’s probably still there. Another probability is that, even after the court is open, his paperwork will get lost and they’ll have to find him since he is lost in the system.” Rhodes placed his cup on the table, his gaze still on Taggart. “This is all supposition, of course.”
“You seem to have a lot of probabilities.” Taggart leaned forward. “I got him arrested, but that was it. What did you do? I don’t want anything to happen to him. Let the justice system do its work.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Rhodes’s smile spread across his face slowly.
“Don’t throw my words back at me,” Taggart warned.
“Fine. In the spirit of quid pro quo, since you shared you had him arrested. I have friends too, and they did a favor and made him get lost for a few days.” Rhodes’s smile changed to something that was sharp and deadly.
“What the hell did you used to do before coming to work for Lawrence?” Taggart demanded.
It bugged him that he didn’t know. In his way of thinking, knowledge was power and he didn’t have enough about Rhodes. None of his contacts could tell him a thing.
“You should know better than to ask such a question.” Rhodes blinked and his face darkened. It was like watching a mask come on, and he was not the same man Taggart knew as Rhodes, but
a stranger. Rhodes lowered his voice. “If there is killing to be done once your justice system finishes with Billy, I’ll handle it. We both know justice doesn’t always work out the way we want it to. You don’t need any more death on your conscience.”
Taggart went still. “Don’t underestimate what my conscience can take. Why would you even care about it, anyway?”
Taggart could feel the hairs on his arms stand up as he realized Rhodes was more dangerous than he had sensed. Taggart had always felt there was something more to him.
“I know all about you, Taggart. You were good during your military career, and your team was very good at getting in and out of politically difficult places. It’s always good to have knowledge.” Rhodes’s face changed again and he looked the way he usually did.
“I know,” Taggart gritted out. He didn’t know anything about Rhodes, but it seemed like he knew of Taggart’s military background. He didn’t know how that was possible, since that information was still all classified. He’d have to make a call later to someone because of it. Damn, he didn’t want to deal with his old superiors, but it was protocol. “So you were also in the military?”
“God, no.” Rhodes rested his hands on his stomach and crossed his ankles.
“Then what—”
“Don’t ask. I don’t trust you enough to tell you. Maybe someday I will.” Rhodes flashed a quick grin. “That’s highly doubtful, but you can always hope.”
“I don’t like not knowing.”
“Hate it. I know you hate it.” Rhodes sounded very cheerful.
“Asshole.”
“I know, but it’s a gift.” He winked before he went serious. “I don’t care either way about your conscience, but I imagine if you had to kill Anna’s uncle, it would be hard for you to see her since she looks so much like him. That, I care about. She already loves her Uncle Taggart, and I wouldn’t want her to be disappointed if you don’t want to visit or talk with her anymore.”
Taggart hated to admit, even to himself, that Rhodes was correct. He would have no problem taking out Billy for what he’d done to Anna. “You’re an old softie,” Taggart accused Rhodes in shock.
“You go on believing that.” Rhodes laughed loud and long.
Taggart’s breath caught at the uninhibited sound. Rhodes stopped and they fell into a companionable silence.
“Thanks for the coffee.” Taggart rose.
“Any time. Maybe next time, if you give me notice, I’ll even offer you breakfast.” Rhodes also stood.
“You’re being nicer to me than usual. Why does that make me suspicious?” Taggart walked around him and headed back the way they had come.
“You’re a suspicious man.” Rhodes sounded as if he was right behind him, but Taggart couldn’t even hear his footsteps.
At the stairs, he paused, facing Rhodes. “I think in this case I have reason to be.”
“Maybe. Or maybe you’re still asleep and this was all a dream.” Rhodes dragged out the end of the word, then made a “woo” sound.
“A sense of humor. Who knew there was one beneath that rigid exterior?”
“I have lots of things you don’t know about.” Rhodes leaned against the post like he had earlier.
Taggart went down the steps and to his car and opened the door. “You know you want to drive my car.” Taggart lifted his voice so Rhodes could hear him.
“Keep believing that if you want to.”
Taggart laughed because he knew it was true. He’d seen Rhodes check out his car and act as if he wasn’t. He got in the car and glanced at Rhodes once more before starting the engine and driving off. Coming here had been a good idea after all. Sitting with Rhodes, Taggart realized he’d wanted his company. The attraction he had for the enigmatic Rhodes wasn’t going away. He’d have to confront the feeling soon. He wasn’t one to let it drag on for long. It was turning out to be a weird day. Coffee with Rhodes, his threatening to kill Billy in place of their usual stoic interactions, had made Taggart see another side of him, one he wanted to experience more of. Since his day couldn’t get any stranger, he would make the call he needed to once he returned home and secured his phone line.
RHODES STARED after Taggart’s car as it went out of view down the lane to the main road. It was always an interesting experience being around Taggart Monroe. He was such a conundrum with his contained ways, yet Rhodes sensed there was a fierce passion just below the surface waiting to be freed. The contrast between the two was what intrigued him about Taggart. He turned and went back around to the back porch and retrieved the coffee cups and took them into the kitchen. Rhodes went directly to the sink and washed out the cups, then dried his hands before he picked up the phone. He typed a code on the receiver and when it beeped, he knew it was a secure line. Rhodes dialed a number and waited as it rang. It was picked up but nothing was spoken on the other end, even though he knew someone was there.
“Sunshine.” Rhodes hung up, knowing that word would make them know what to do.
He also knew what he’d just done would only aggravate Taggart. Which was a great side benefit. Whistling, Rhodes headed to the gym, as had been his plan before he’d heard the signal of someone entering the center grounds. When he saw it was Taggart, he’d wondered why he was here. His curiosity had increased when, instead of continuing up to the hidden road that would take him to Treble Duo, Taggart had made the turn to bring him to Rhodes’s house. The whole property had sensors, but Rhodes had also installed his own security measures.
In the rooms he had fixed to make up his gym, Rhodes wrapped his hands, and in moments he started working on a speed bag. Soon he was lost in the rhythm of punching and let his mind focus on that. When he was through, he shifted to the heavy bag and switched out his punching with kicks to the bag. While he worked out, Rhodes thought of an estimated time Taggart would be back. He gave him two days at the most before he would be back in front of his door. A smile curled Rhodes’s lips at the thought. He really needed to figure out what about needling Taggart gave him such pleasure. But for now, he needed to finish his workout.
Rhodes stepped back, balanced on his feet, then jumped up and twisted into a back kick, hitting the bag hard. He went through his workout, changing from the bag to free weights, then finishing off with the treadmill. Refreshed from his workout, Rhodes wiped his face and down his chest and put the towel around his neck before he exited the gym. He headed upstairs to his room for a shower; afterward he would get on to the second part of his day—doing absolutely nothing but relaxing.
A SOUND that signaled someone was approaching his house made Rhodes roll over in his bed and reach for the tablet he kept by his bedside. Since he wasn’t on duty, it was only set to his own house, not the center grounds. He looked at the screen and sat up, a huge grin on his face. Rhodes slid out of the bed, held onto the tablet, and padded barefoot across the room to the door and into the hall. He strolled toward the stairs. He went down the steps, and his smile widened as the doorbell rang. Rhodes went to the front door and opened it. Steely blue eyes met his, making Rhodes’s cock harden. He kept his expression contained as shock filled him. In that moment Rhodes realized why he felt the way he did whenever he was around Taggart. It was a damn inconvenient time to figure out he was attracted to Taggart. He’d just gotten used to being settled in his own skin. Adding Taggart to the mix could create all sorts of unforeseen issues. For now, Rhodes decided to leave it alone.
“A week and three days. You held out longer than I expected.”
“I was going to come two days after I left here last time but got caught up in work. I needed time so we could discuss things.” Taggart laughed. “Well, me ask questions and you evade them, thus frustrating me.”
Rhodes stared. He’d never heard Taggart laugh before. It made him want to kiss Taggart and suck the sound into his own mouth. Yeah, it was a really bad time for his libido to wake up and decide it was ready to get busy. Rhodes chuckled at the thought.
“It’s funny to you, but to me,
not so much.” Taggart lifted the bag Rhodes hadn’t noticed he was carrying. “I brought food to make breakfast since I didn’t give you warning before. Next time you can make me breakfast.” Taggart stepped up to him.
“Is there going to be a next time?” Rhodes moved to the side to let him in.
“Depends on if you give me a straight answer about who you are.” Taggart paused beside Rhodes, watching him. “I don’t like not knowing shit.”
“Well, shit can’t really be known.”
“And you’re a smart-ass too. Well, I’m being shocked all over. First, you have a sense of humor, and now you’re being a smart-ass. There’s a lot I don’t know about you.” Taggart made his way down the hall toward the kitchen. “Oh, I let Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm out, so they’re exploring the new area. Keep an eye out for them.”
“You left the Flintstone kids outside? You do know they’re cartoons.” Rhodes chuckled.
“I never knew you were such a smart-ass. I like it.” Taggart came back to him, gesturing him toward the door.
Rhodes joined him in the doorway. Immediately he spotted the two puppies outside beyond Taggart’s SUV.
“The dark-brown one is a female Rhodesian Ridgeback and the male is a dark Golden Retriever.” Taggart looked at him. “Keep an eye on my dogs. If anything happens to Pebbles or Bamm-Bamm, I’ll take it out of your ass. When they’re ready to come in, grab their backpack from the back of my SUV. I’ll be making breakfast.” Taggart left to go to the kitchen.
“You like giving orders,” Rhodes called after him.
“And they get followed,” Taggart retorted and went out of view into the room beyond.
Rhodes shook his head and went outside to sit on the top step of the porch to watch the puppies. They spotted him and barked, running toward him and up the steps. Soon Rhodes had two frisky dogs vying for attention.
“Your daddy seems a little intense when it comes to you two.”
The dogs barked as if agreeing. He played with them awhile, then stood to get their bag before they headed inside. The scent of bacon filled the house as he walked to the kitchen. He went to the island and placed the backpack on a high-backed stool before he sat, watching as Taggart made him breakfast.
Something in Common (Dreamspinner Press Bundles) Page 87