Jonah snickered. “She didn’t turn us down, and lucky for us, if we happen to crash and burn, she’s a good friend of Louisa’s.”
“Then don’t push too hard. You could always have Graham or the guys set up a meeting.”
“Now what fun would that be? It will be different to chase after what we want.”
“Just watch your asses as I do a little more digging.”
Jonah disconnected the call and explained things to Niall and Trace.
Trace rubbed his hands together. “What do you say to breaking up their little private stroll and getting down to making our presence known?”
“Knox suggested we take it slow,” Jonah stated.
“If this Aurik guy is bad news, we certainly don’t want Louisa’s friend getting caught up in something dangerous,” Niall stated, staring past Jonah and narrowing his eyes. Jonah turned to look, and sure enough, Liam Russell and his partner, Keno, were talking to Pina and Aurik Archimbald.
* * * *
Pina’s heart began to pound even faster at the sight. She had never had the opportunity to meet Liam Russell but knew that he and her boss, Nolan, were acquaintances. Standing here between two very attractive older men and Liam’s guard and partner, Keno, was intimidating.
Liam took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the top. She got an uneasy feeling in her gut as she shyly looked down and then at Keno, who was in a dead stare at her.
“Did you say your last name was Leonie?” Keno asked.
“Yes,” she said, and his eyes narrowed at her as he looked over her body, and then Liam squinted, too, as if they knew her name. She got a really bad feeling, but then Aurik interrupted.
“Pina is Nolan Potts’s CFO, and we’re discussing some business opportunities with the company.”
“CFO? Interesting,” Liam said, still staring at her as if he were memorizing her face and her body, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Her guard went up another notch, and she knew she needed to stand her ground and be smart. These men were vicious, she could tell, and untrustworthy, too.
“My boss is looking to complete his museum and art school and is searching for donations of both financial support for a scholarship program as well as artwork to fill spots in the museum that set the museum and school apart from other places. Mr. Archimbald here may be contributing some fine German art. Perhaps you would be interested in the museum as well, Mr. Russell?”
“What is your take on this new venture Nolan is pursuing?” Liam asked Aurik.
“We’re discussing it, but I feel more time going over details will be imperative,” he said to her, hinting that he wanted to spend more time with her.
“Well, the night is young, Mr. Archimbald. Perhaps Mr. Russell would be interested in learning more about the project, too?” she asked, knowing that Nolan would want her to do so.
“It’s a possibility, but Aurik and I have some things to discuss. Perhaps we could get together in a little bit?” Liam suggested, and she was fine with that.
Her gut was never wrong, and she was relieved to put some distance between herself and these men.
“Of course. I need to go freshen up and say hello to a few friends. You let me know when you are interested in learning more.”
“Don’t go too far,” Aurik sort of snapped at her. She gave him the once-over, which didn’t seem to go over too well.
“Something tells me no matter where I am you’d find me,” she stated and then walked away. She felt their eyes upon her as she headed to the hallway and the ladies’ room. Once inside she released an unsteady breath. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was starting to dislike her boss. This was supposed to be Delores’s job. Why the hell did the woman get the stomach flu?
Once she finished checking her lip gloss and adjusting her breasts in the very slim-fitting dress, she glanced in the mirror and hoped she looked as good as she felt. With that thought, the Mondave brothers popped into her head. Heat filtered through her system in a flash, and she was shocked as she wondered what it might feel like to be kissed by them. Crazy that she thought of them as one unit, and even thought of a ménage at all. She hadn’t met any man yet that made her consider giving up her virginity, but damn, those three were super sexy and capable men, but she knew very little about them, just that ever getting close to them to discuss business or casual conversation was unheard of. She swallowed hard and headed out of the bathroom, then down the hall toward the balcony to call Louisa. She hadn’t been able to get back to see her all night and was hoping to steal some time now with her. When Pina texted her, Louisa said where she was.
When she turned around to leave the balcony, she gasped and jumped back, her heart instantly racing at the sight of Keno, Liam’s guard and partner. She placed her hand over her heart. “My God, you scared me.”
He smirked. “Didn’t mean to, but you did have your back toward the doorway. Anyone could have snuck up on you and tried something.” He gazed over her body from head to toe.
He was right. She wasn’t being very smart.
“Well, it isn’t exactly the type of venue and party where a woman should have to worry about being attacked.”
“You never know. A man could see something he really wants and then actually take it.”
She didn’t know what he meant, but she assumed he meant her body. She raised one of her eyebrows up at him. “That would be a very big mistake.”
He smirked. “You don’t remember me, do you?” he asked, and she shook her head. Her heart raced faster.
He stepped closer, and she stepped back. Her rear hit the cement wall of the balcony. The cool evening air did nothing to help her heated skin. She was on guard and a bit fearful. Keno was about six feet two, with wide shoulders filled with muscles and an expression that warned her to not underestimate the man’s abilities. He looked bad, evil, and she wondered why the hell he was harassing her.
He licked his lips. He was now in her space and blocking her ability to exit.
“You’re Brian’s sister, aren’t you?” he asked, and instantly her eyes widened and her eyes filled up with tears. She had to submerge all emotion. He narrowed his eyes at her.
“You knew my brother?” she asked.
He stepped closer and eyed her breasts. He touched her hair. She moved to the side, and he held her gaze with a firm expression. He lowered his hand to the shelf of the balcony behind her and placed his other hand on her hip, making her tighten up. Could she use her moves on this man even if just to get away from him? She was wearing high heels and a party dress, too tight to do any martial-arts moves. Shit, what the hell was going on?
“Of course I knew him. He wasn’t a success like you though. CFO, that’s damn impressive, Pina.” He stroked her hip, and she squinted at him.
“Step back and remove your hand,” she said, and he slowly shook his head.
“I don’t think so. Meeting you here tonight was not just coincidence. You see, you and your parents were paying off your brother’s debt to us.”
Her heart felt as if it stopped beating. “What?”
He smirked and stared down into her eyes. She was shaking. “He owed a lot of money to me and to Liam, the boss.”
Liam? Liam Russell? L.R. Oh God no. Holy shit.
She had to be smart and play dumb here. “That debt was paid years ago.”
The hand that was on the shelf reached up and touched her hair. He leaned closer and inhaled her scent. She swallowed hard.
“I know. It took you about six months to pay Ricardo. I remember that year because it was the year my brother, Jordene, was killed, robbed, then shot by cops while collecting.”
“Brother?” she whispered and felt as though her entire world was about to come undone. She quickly pulled her shit together. She’d practiced dealing with this as a potential situation years ago.
“I remember that. One day Jordene was collecting and a week later it was Ricardo,” she said, and her voice, thank God, didn’t
crack with fear. This was terrible, and she didn’t know what to do.
“I think it means something, me seeing you here tonight after all these years,” he said, letting his eyes roam over her breasts.
“I don’t.”
He paused at her lips and then stared into her eyes. “My brother was a bit of a hothead. Not too smart either, but I loved him. Got him off the streets and the next thing I know he’s shot seven times and the boss is out thirty grand in cash and a shitload in drugs.
“I guess that’s part of the risks criminals like you take. None of it has anything to do with me.” She didn’t know why she was being so ballsy. She should be quiet and let the man have his power trip. She couldn’t though. She was a different person.
“I don’t leave much to coincidence.”
“Yeah, well, there’s nothing more here than that. My brother was a criminal with a bad drug problem. My parents and I were forced to pay his debt to you and Liam. We did it. End of story. Our connection in any way ended back then when I handed over the last few hundred dollars. So if you don’t mind, Keno, this is a party and I have business to conduct, and unlike you, it’s a legitimate business, so I’m definitely not interested in walking down unpleasant memory lane.”
He pulled back but didn’t move his hand from her hip or the one against the shelf, caging her in.
“Don’t be so sure about that. The men your boss does business with says a lot.”
“Doesn’t matter to me because what I do is legit, and the second Nolan asks me to fudge numbers or do anything unethical is the day I resign. So if you don’t mind, Keno, I don’t owe you shit.”
He chuckled. “Pina, Pina, why so hostile toward me? We’re acquaintances, could be friends.” He let strands of her hair glide through his fingers.
She snorted. “I don’t think so. No offense, but you and Liam remind me of a bad time in my life when I was forced to pay a debt that wasn’t mine because my brother was a screw-up.”
“Well see, we have that in common, too. My brother was a screw-up, like yours.”
She didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t be so sure our paths won’t cross again. Especially since Liam and Aurik have their eyes on you for more than just business, and to tell you the truth”—he stroked her cheek and gripped her hair gently—“I’m kind of jealous.”
Her lips parted. She couldn’t wrap her brain around this. It was insanity.
“Don’t be. I’m not interested in any of you,” she said, and he released his hold and stepped back.
“That choice may not be yours to make,” he threatened and pointed at her, then stepped back.
Her anger boiled. She was a hell of a lot more prepared six years later than she’d been at eighteen years old.
“You have no control over me. I’m not under your thumb or that of your boss.”
He smirked at her and ate her up with his eyes. “You sure aren’t eighteen anymore, but once you do business with Liam Russell, he always has a hold on you. Shall we return to the table?”
“I have a friend of mine to meet first,” she said.
“Don’t make us wait too long. It won’t be a smart move on your part, Pina.”
He headed off the balcony and out toward the hallway. She exhaled and wondered if Keno knew or had a feeling that she’d killed his brother. This wasn’t good, but she knew there was no evidence, nothing that could prove she’d done it. It had been self-defense after all, and it had been the police bullets that ultimately killed Jordene. Let him place the blame on them. She was just glad she’d been smart enough to not pay them off too quickly and pretended to still need so much time. That last six months had been pure torture, but it worked out well and didn’t leave Keno or Liam suspicious at all.
She’d known this day would come, but she was a different person than that eighteen-year-old girl about to be raped and assaulted. She was smarter, well trained, and more than ready to defend her and her parents to the death. She’d made that promise six years ago. Keno and Liam Russell weren’t going to make her break that promise. In her mind they deserved to die as well.
As she exited the balcony and walked into the hallway, she bumped into Trace Mondave. He smiled wide.
“Pina.” When he said her name, she wondered if he had seen Keno come out this way. “Are you okay? I thought I saw you head this way and then some guy follow.”
“Oh yes, I’m fine,” she said, but she was shaking and she looked away from him. Trace stepped closer and took her hand, shocking her.
“You’re shaking.” He squinted his eyes at her.
“I guess it’s a bit chilly tonight.”
It was a lame excuse, and he knew it. It was warm out tonight, and the air could have used a breeze. He stepped closer and placed a hand on her arm and caressed her skin. He was so attractive she felt faint.
“Did he say something to upset you? Touch you?” he asked, his eyes narrowing down at her and his expression fierce.
“I’m fine.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Um, not for nothing but I don’t even know you.”
“You’re a friend of Louisa, and her men are good friends of mine. The man who was just back here is not a good guy to be around. In fact, it seems your boss is keeping some bad company.”
“I can take care of myself, Trace. Besides, my boss isn’t doing business per se with them. He’s looking for monetary donations and donations of art. He thinks that Liam Russell and Tougher Jerrico have access to both and also the reputations to back his project. No other business with them.”
“He shouldn’t put you at risk as some sort of eye candy to impress those men. They’re eating you up with their eyes.”
“Weren’t you doing the same thing and even teasing me with the art on display in the private rooms?”
“My intentions are not harmful, nor are those of my brothers, toward you.”
“How do I know that? Your reputations aren’t exactly perfect either, Trace. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to head back.”
“Not alone. I’d like to know more about this museum and art school. Perhaps I can be of assistance?”
She was shocked by his offer. “I don’t understand. I’ve heard that you and your brothers keep to yourselves and hate when people try to get you to give money.”
He took her hand and squeezed it as they walked. “When we set our eyes on something that interests us, we’re at least willing to explore options. So tell me what is needed and I can decide if it’s an opportunity my brothers and I are interested in being part of.”
Time flew by as she spoke with Trace, and he made her laugh several times. His brothers joined them, too, and she couldn’t help but blush, feeling completely attracted to them. In fact, she found herself touching their arm or bumping into them as they conversed nonstop. Then she saw Niall’s and Trace’s eyes darken and angry expressions form on their faces as someone tapped on her shoulder. Jonah looked instantly pissed, and when she turned around, some big guy stared down at her and gave the Mondave men a disgusted look.
“Miss Leonie, Mr. Archimbald is requesting you meet him now to discuss some business.”
“Oh, okay, I’ll be there in a minute.”
The man just stood there.
“I think she said she’ll need a minute,” Niall stated firmly to the man and then looked as if he might start a fight.
She smiled at Niall. “It’s okay, Niall. Thank you all for the lovely conversation. If you still think you may be interested in donating or something, feel free to contact me. You can get my number from Louisa.”
The three men nodded.
“We’ll catch up later,” Trace said, and she turned around and reluctantly walked away with the blond-haired goon.
Chapter 3
“What do you guys know about the Russian talking with Liam and Nolan Potts?” Graham asked Jonah, Trace, and Niall.
“Why do you ask?” Niall asked him.
“Pina is Lo
uisa’s close friend. We know what kind of a man Liam Russell is,” Graham replied.
“She’s been with them all night. Perhaps she likes the attention,” Jonah replied and looked at Graham.
“Pina? No way. I’ve known her for a few months now and can tell you that she is definitely not into men like that. Plus Louisa confirms Pina doesn’t even date. She’s a workaholic, and when she isn’t working, she’s working out or doing those agility and obstacle-course competitions in the mountains.”
“Get the hell out of here,” Niall replied and looked over at her.
Just then she stood up and the other men all looked as well. She smiled, nodded, and then walked away and her facial expression as she turned away did not indicate she was enjoying herself. She looked pissed off.
“Well, if you’re concerned about her, then now would be the time to go ask her,” Trace said to Graham, and Graham looked to where Pina was heading and saw Louisa smile, as did his brothers Daxton and Cooper.
“I don’t know if you guys know, but that guy with Nolan and Liam is a Russian businessman connected to importing and exporting rare art as well as having connections to the military and mercenaries. I’m wondering if maybe he should be added to the list of people you and the James brothers are investigating as possible suspects in these off-the-wall failed hits,” Graham suggested.
“We’re on it and were throwing around the same thing. If our main suspect is Liam, and he brings in a man like Aurik Archimbald, then our recent encounter with militants won’t be the last,” Jonah stated.
“Recent encounter? What happened? Are Knox and Dane okay?” Graham asked.
“Yes, they’re good and handled things accordingly, but it was close and definitely well planned. So much so that we’re going to consider making this our last import from that part of the Middle East.”
“Shit, you do know the demand for certain types of art is high right now from the region. That means someone who shows more guts and isn’t being targeted could come in and take that over and make a killing,” Graham said.
Tequila Sunrise [Love on the Rocks 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 5