by Zara Chase
“Nice,” Vasco said, probably just to be…well, nice.
“Thanks.”
“Is this where you work?” Ty asked, pointing to the table in the breakfast nook, which housed her computer and a load of office supplies.
“Very astute of you,” she replied grinning.
“Hmm.”
Ty took a weird implement like a wand from the bag he’d carried in from his truck and waved it about.
“What’s he doing?” she asked Vasco.
“Checking for listening devices,” Vasco replied calmly, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
“You have got to be kidding me!”
“You’d be surprised what we find. I know it sounds high-tech, but nowadays you can buy just about anything online. And people do. Trust me on this.”
“It’s clean,” Ty said, putting away his magic wand.
“Good to know,” Sorrel said, now feeling a little uncomfortable.
“Hey, don’t freak out on me, babe.” Vasco placed a large warm hand on her back, then thought better of it and threw his entire arm around both shoulders. “We have to assume whoever’s stealing your ideas has either visual or audible access to your space.”
“Not a comforting thought.”
But leaning against the solid wall of warmth and safety that passed for Vasco’s chest was a little too comforting. He hadn’t removed his arm so she felt justified in snuggling, just for a moment or two. After all, it wasn’t every day a girl got to hear someone might have bugged her living space. Yeah, right. That’s the only reason you need to cuddle.
“We’ve ruled out audible, so my guess is that someone comes in here when you’re out and about,” Ty said. “Are you a creature of habit, darlin’?”
Darlin’? “Well, yes, I suppose so. Especially since I got Marley. He and I go to the park first thing, every day.”
“Well then, that probably explains it.”
Ty put his bag down, rummaged about in it and produced a very small item. He then looked around Sorrel’s work space, concentrating on the area directly above it. There was a ventilation grill at the juncture with the ceiling, which Ty appeared to find fascinating.
“That ought to do it.”
With Vasco’s arm still around her shoulders, she watched as Ty climbed on a chair and removed the grill from the front of the vent with a screwdriver. He fitted the thingy he had taken from his bag into the vent, fiddled around, making adjustments for a while, then replaced the grill.
“All done,” he said, jumping off the chair and returning it to the table.
“I don’t suppose you want to tell me—”
“It’s a digital camera activated by movement,” Vasco explained. “If you work on the breakfast bar for now it will save you being on candid camera.”
“Oh, okay,” she said weakly.
“The important thing to remember is, when you go out, leave all your papers where you normally would,” Ty said.
“Leave slogans you have no intention of using in clear view, but keep all the good stuff on you at all times. Can you do that?” Vasco asked.
“Sure. How long do the batteries last in the camera? How long before we catch the guy?”
“A few days to the first question,” Ty said. “No idea to the second.”
“But here’s the deal,” Vasco added. “Wear something pretty tomorrow evening. We’ll pick you up around seven and check the camera at the same time.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, a combination of bewilderment and excitement gripping her when it occurred to her they were not abandoning her quite yet.
“You’ll see,” Vasco replied, twitching her nose. “But in the meantime, don’t feel frightened. No one’s out to hurt you. They only want to steal your ideas.”
“If we thought you were in danger, we wouldn’t leave you alone,” Ty said, serious for once.
“I’ve never felt physically threatened,” she assured them.
“That’s good,” Ty said, winking at her.
“You must let me pay you a retainer,” she said. “All this dashing back and forth from Port Angeles when you have a business to run must eat into your time and profits.”
“We’ll talk about that when the job’s done.”
To her astonishment, Vasco dropped a light kiss on her lips as he removed the arm from around her shoulders. “Will you be okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, sure,” she replied.
Ty moved in and kissed her as well, also on the lips. “Don’t worry, darlin’,” he said. “We’ll get the creep who’s not playing fair.” He put on a silly voice that made her smile. “We always get our man.”
“Or woman,” Vasco added.
Sorrel just bet they did.
Chapter Five
“You guys look hot.” Jenner, the gym’s manager who’d broken the hearts of half the single men in Port Angeles by coming out, looked up from behind the reception desk. “Got dates?”
It was five the following afternoon and the guys had just come down from the apartment they shared on the top floor of their business premises. Jenner usually only ever saw them in workout gear or jeans. Tonight both were wearing sharp pants and fashionably long dress shirts worn outside the waistbands.
“I was going to ask the same question.” Lauren came up behind them and placed a hand proprietorially on Vasco’s arm. “Not sure I’m woman enough for the both of you, but I’ll sure as hell give it my best shot.”
“There are worse ways to die,” Jenner said, sending the guys a mischievous grin. Vasco replied with a look that warned her he’d get his revenge later. Not that he ever would, and they both knew it. Jenner was a godsend. Good at her job, better with the clients, especially the difficult ones, and willing to work for way less than she was worth. Better yet, her sexual orientation ensured she didn’t hit on them, so they could enjoy a profitable business relationship that had become a friendship.
Put simply, Body Language couldn’t function without Jenner and Vasco and Ty both knew it.
“We’re checking out a new client,” Vasco said, which was kinda true. “I’m surprised to see you here in the evening, Lauren. I thought you were done for the day. Can’t keep away, huh?”
“I figured I’d give Cassie’s spinning class a whirl,” she said.
“Well, that’s good. But remember, too much exercise is almost as bad as too little.” Vasco turned back to Jenner. “Call us if you have problems.”
“I’ve got it covered, boys,” Jenner said. “Have fun. It’s about time you got out of here for a while.”
“Enjoy the spinning, Lauren,” Vasco called over his shoulder.
“Wonder who the lucky ladies are,” they heard Lauren mutter petulantly to Jenner.
“Phew,” Vasco said as they strode towards their truck. “That was a close call.”
“You think Lauren didn’t have her mind just on spinning?” Ty pulled a shocked face, but spoiled the effect by grinning. “You astound me.”
“She was here to get her claws into one of us, no question. Did you see her face when we said we’d be back late?” Vasco opened the truck and turned the key in the ignition. “I really can’t afford to upset her, but there are limits to the sacrifices I’m prepared to make for the sake of our bank balance. But if you—”
“Fuck, no!”
Vasco laughed as he pulled onto the highway. “That’s what I figured.”
“Now, ask me the same question about the lady we’re about to see and I might just be willing to oblige.”
Vasco pulled a wry face. “Don’t put yourself out.”
“I hate that she has such little self-esteem.” Ty kicked moodily at the crooked mat in the foot-well of the truck. “Her family have really worked a number on her.”
“Well, we do have plans to fix that, remember. We owe it to her as part of the service to make her feel better about herself.”
Ty shook his head. “I wish we could do a thorough job, but she ain’t a player.”
“She could be.”
“I know, but I don’t wanna hurt her. She would be a keeper, and I don’t think either of us want that right now.”
“We can’t afford the distraction if we’re gonna get ourselves out from under the pile of debt we’ve accrued.” Vasco flipped the indicator and moved past a slow Lincoln loaded with seniors. “Let’s just see our plan through this evening, and then play it by ear.”
“Gotcha.”
They reached Sorrel’s apartment half an hour early. Assuming she wouldn’t be ready, they were prepared to check the camera feed while she got her act together. They were surprised when she opened the door to them, looking good enough to devour instead of the fancy meal they had planned for her. Vasco had suspected the ubiquitous little black dress would be the order of the night. All women tended to hide behind black when they didn’t like their bodies.
All except Sorrel, it seemed.
She wore a cerise sheath with a high neckline that clung to her tits but didn’t reveal an inch of cleavage. It skimmed over her wide middle and finished at her knee. She had bulky thighs, as Vasco knew from having briefly touched one, but very shapely lower legs. They were showcased tonight in thin black stockings, and neat black shoes with four-inch heels adorned her small feet. Her hair was loose and freshly washed, cascading around her shoulders in a riot of unruly curls. She wore minimum makeup and smelled of a light, floral fragrance that suited her personality and tested Vasco’s resolve to keep his hands to himself.
He and Ty simply stood there and gaped at her. Sorrel obviously misinterpreted their reaction and blushed.
“You said to dress up,” she told them defensively. “Is this too much?”
“It’s goddamned perfect,” Vasco replied, leaning in to kiss her.
“What he said,” Ty added, taking his turn to steal a kiss.
“Well then, thank you. Come on in. Can I get you something to drink?”
Their response was delayed while they dealt with Marley who, presumably associating Vasco’s voice with illicit steak, hurled himself at them both in a frenzy of wagging delight. They laughed as they petted him and the mutt rolled on his back, offering up his belly for a good scratch. Vasco found a ball up against the baseboard and rolled it across the room, sending the dog scrabbling off in pursuit of it.
“He’ll keep you at that all night,” Sorrel said, laughing.
They declined her offer of drinks, but Ty checked his camera.
“Nothing,” he said, replacing the grill. “You didn’t get any uninvited guests today.”
“Good. I’m used to my own company, but I still felt a bit awkward last night and found it hard to sleep, knowing my space has been invaded. It made me so damned mad.” She grinned. “I took a baseball bat to bed with me. If anyone had broken in, I would have used it, no question.”
“I’m glad you didn’t have to.” Vasco smiled at her. “Are you ready?”
She picked up her purse. Marley reached the door first, wagging because he thought he was coming too.
“Not tonight, buddy,” Ty said. “But we promise you a walk in the park later. Deal?”
Ty offered his hand and the mutt raised a paw, making Vasco laugh because he seemed to know how to shake.
“Did you teach him to do that?” he asked Sorrel.
“No, he figured it out all by himself.” She shook her head. “Precocious doesn’t come close to describing Marley, but he’s too adorable for it to be a problem.”
She picked up her cell phone, about to put it in her purse. Vasco plucked it from her grasp.
“You won’t be needing that tonight.”
“But what about…what if…work, you know?”
“Do you get work calls at night?”
“Well, no.”
“Clients will leave a message if they need to talk to you, so you won’t lose any business. But your family will bug you if you take the phone with you.”
“I don’t need to take their calls.”
“No,” Vasco said, sending her an enticing grin that heated the air between them. “But you will because it’s what you’re programed to do. You can’t help yourself.”
“True, but—”
“How many times have you heard from them since yesterday?” Ty asked.
“Okay, point taken. The phone stays.” She shared a smile between them. “It’s kinda liberating, actually.”
“Attagirl!” Vasco replied. “Got anything to occupy Marley to compensate for leaving him?”
“It’s so sweet of you to think of him.”
“Aw, honey, don’t call him sweet.” Ty pulled an agonized face. “I’m the sweet one. He’s just plain mean.”
She laughed as she rummaged in a kitchen cabinet, came up with a rawhide bone that was almost as big as the little dog, and threw it to him. Marley managed to get his jaws around it, barely, and settled down with the bone perched on his front paws, already gnawing away at it.
“I happen to know you’re both real nice guys, but I promise not to let on. Your secret’s safe with me.”
“Phew.” Ty wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. “I thought for a minute we’d been busted.”
He opened the front door, took Sorrel’s keys from her and turned the deadbolt.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” Sorrel asked as Vasco helped her slide onto the front seat of the truck. Ty climbed in on her opposite side. It felt good, naturally right, to have her there between them, but Vasco pushed the thought aside. Now wasn’t the time.
“What, and spoil the surprise?”
They pulled up a short time later in front of Dynasty. Vasco helped Sorrel from the truck and handed the keys to the valet. She appeared preoccupied and it took her a moment to realize where they were.
“This is where Jordi works,” she said, looking panicked and a little disappointed at their lack of sensitivity. “We can’t go in there.”
“It’s because Jordi works here that we made a reservation,” Ty replied.
He took one of her elbows, Vasco took the other, and they walked her beneath the awning into the restaurant itself, not giving her time to voice further objections. The hostess was upon them in seconds, her face wreathed in smiles that excluded Sorrel.
“She’s checking out your butts,” Sorrel muttered, sounding amused.
“We work hard on our butts,” Ty replied, winking at her. “They’re worth checking out. Wanna have a go?”
“Don’t be shy,” she responded, blushing. God, but she was adorable when she blushed. Vasco couldn’t remember the last time he’d interacted with a female who blushed so readily. He liked her comparative innocence, even though the thoughts that occupied his mind, the things he’d like to do to her, were far from innocent. “Say what’s on your mind.”
“Your table’s ready. Please follow me.”
The hostess picked up three menus and sashayed ahead of them, swinging her hips in a provocative invitation for the guys to return the favor and check out her ass.
“Don’t ever walk like that,” Vasco said in an undertone to Sorrel.
“Like I could. I don’t exactly have the hips for it. Or the ass.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
She blinked up at him, clearly confused. He would explain later. Perhaps. In the meantime, his cryptic comment had taken her mind off where they were. Vasco glanced across at Ty as they were shown to a booth and Sorrel slid into the middle of the horseshoe-shaped seat, leaving the guys to take up the places on either side of her.
“Would you mind telling me what we’re doing here?” she demanded, as soon as the hostess left them.
“I want to see your ex in action,” Vasco said.
“You should have warned me.”
“Would you have agreed to come if we had?” Ty asked.
“Thought not,” Vasco said when she looked away without answering. “Just trust us to know what we’re doing, and play along. Okay?”
“I guess.”
They looked at the menu and Vasco tried not to wince at the prices. They could probably get away with it as a business expense, but right now he didn’t give a fuck if they couldn’t. He couldn’t remember the last time he and Ty had taken a whole evening off from the business and relaxed in the company of a woman they both liked, and who needed their help. It felt good to be needed.
“Anything take your fancy?” he asked Sorrel.
“Lots of things, but you have to let me deal with the check.”
“Nope. Our treat,” Ty replied promptly.
“That’s not fair. You’re only here to help me.”
“Helping ladies in distress is what we do best,” Vasco said, briefly placing a hand on her thigh. “Now quit arguing with us.” He lowered his voice to a seductive purr. “When you get to know us a little better, you’ll realize we’re always in charge and arguing with us has consequences.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t need to know you better. I already got that part.”
“I doubt it,” Ty said. “But that could all change.”
Vasco shot his buddy a warning look. “Right, here’s our server. Have you decided what you’d like to eat, babe?”
Vasco wondered how long it would be before the mighty chef noticed Sorrel’s presence. He strolled into the restaurant in full chef regalia when they were halfway through their entrees, stopping at tables to accept the acclamations he seemed to think were his due. His food was good, Vasco conceded. So it fucking should be at these prices.
“Good evening,” he said, stepping up to their table. “I do hope everything is…Sorrel, what the fu—”
“Hey, Jordi,” she said, smiling up at the jerk with every appearance of outward calm that Vasco gave her top marks for. He knew she was anything but calm and again placed a reassuring hand on her thigh. “Excellent food.”
Jordi’s gaze darted between Vasco and Ty, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. Vasco tried to remain neutral and give him the benefit of the doubt, but had already decided he hated the man. “You should have warned me you were coming. I would have made sure you got a better table.”
“This one’s just great, thanks.”
“Who are your friends?”