“It’s not so safe anymore.”
“I suppose not. I did hear of someone who is able to get these rare pieces and without any problem,” Brennan said to them.
“Who is that? If you don’t mind me asking,” Jonah said.
“I don’t have a name, but he’s an associate of Ivan Turnack. I believe Ivan owns and operates a few restaurants.”
“We know of him. Let me know if you get a name of the guy who can come through on those Middle Eastern deliveries,” Jonah said.
“Of course, and I’ll be in touch for other items. Have a good evening,” Brennan said.
They all shook hands, and his brother Knox escorted Brennan Tobin off the yacht.
“Those restaurants are Ukrainian and Russian owned,” Trace said to him.
“Exactly,” Jonah stated.
“Bo, Taylor, what do you have in regards to those shipments and the construction of the new storage facility?” Trace asked them.
“Everything is on schedule. We need to add a few more guys to the security detail though,” Bo told them.
“Why is that? It’s nearly complete,” Clark said with an attitude.
Jonah exhaled.
“There were some materials stolen and a window was broken that needed to be replaced. It was during the night when security is less prominent,” Bo told them.
“What about security cameras? Anything on them?”
“That’s the thing, Jonah. The cameras were taken out, too.”
“Fuck,” Knox said.
“I want all the details, including who was working that night and that day. I want a list of all employees, even construction workers, under our company, Bo,” Dane demanded.
“I’ll have that for you immediately,” Bo said.
“Good.”
Jonah walked to the back of the boat and looked off toward the restaurant.
“You’re not going to take this lightly, are you, Jonah? It’s not some kids vandalizing,” Knox said, joining him.
“I know that. We’ll get the list of names and do a thorough investigation. I want you and Dane to fix the security cameras pronto and set up inside surveillance that can’t be taken out. We’re obviously dealing with professionals here,” Jonah said to him.
“Understood. I’ll take care of it tomorrow.”
* * * *
“Are you heading to the bar?” Dane asked Bo and Taylor as they walked off the boat and down the dock with him, Knox, and Trace.
“We met a friend and was hoping she and her really good-looking friend were still here,” Taylor said, looking around for them.
“Over there getting up from their table,” Bo pointed out, and Dane caught sight of the long strawberry-blonde hair, tight pencil skirt over a perfectly round ass, and when she turned around with her blonde friend, a gorgeous woman appeared.
“Which one is your friend?” Trace asked, stepping closer.
“The blonde. Her name is Rose,” Bo said to them.
“Let’s see if we can talk them into a drink on the boat,” Trace said, and Dane looked at him.
“That’s Pina,” Trace whispered to Dane, who was surprised.
“I’ll ask them if you guys are interested,” Taylor said to Trace.
“We know the other one, Pina,” Trace said to them.
“She’s gorgeous,” Taylor said.
“They both are,” Bo added.
As the women came closer, Dane noticed Pina’s eyes go to Trace and then to him and Knox, then quickly back to Taylor and Bo.
“Rose, Pina,” Bo said, calling to them.
Rose gave a wave. “Hi.”
Pina stood still and locked gazes with Dane, who felt his heart begin to pound. The woman was sexy as sin. No wonder Niall was in such a state and Jonah and Trace couldn’t stop digging into her life.
“We’d like you to meet some friends of ours. This is Dane, Trace, and Knox Mondave.”
Rose’s eyes lit up, and she immediately put her hand out and stepped closer. “Such a pleasure meeting all of you.”
Each man shook her hand.
“This is my friend—”
“Pina, so nice to see you again.” Trace interrupted Rose and stepped closer, took Pina’s hand, and brought it to his lips to kiss.
Dane saw her cheeks flush, but her eyes narrowed on his brother as if his tactics bored her.
“Hello, Trace.”
“These are my brothers, Knox and Dane.” Trace introduced them, and when Dane took her hand into his to shake, he couldn’t believe the feeling he had. She seemed to feel it, too, as she looked away and then pulled her bottom lip tight.
“We were hoping that you ladies would join us for a drink on their yacht,” Bo said.
“Oh God, that is so nice of you.” Rose had started to walk when Pina grabbed her arm.
“It’s getting late,” Pina said and stood her ground.
“It’s still early, Pina. We can have a drink. Come on,” her friend said to Pina, glaring at her.
Dane had to hide his smirk.
“We don’t bite, Pina. You should know that by now,” Trace teased her.
“Come on and we’ll give you a tour and grab a drink,” Trace said, and Bo took Rose’s hand and began to lead her, along with Taylor, up the dock and toward the yacht.
Trace reached out his hand. “Come on. It’s just a drink.”
She looked at Dane and Knox, who towered over her.
“Just a drink.” She didn’t take his hand but instead started to walk between Knox and Dane and head toward the boat.
Dane stared at her body and that long beautiful hair that smelled incredible. He glanced at Trace, who smirked and winked at him.
“We told you,” he whispered, and Dane couldn’t help but wonder what would come of this.
As they got onto the boat, Dane saw Niall’s eyes widen and a small smile form on his face. Jonah squinted and gave Pina the once-over as the introductions began. One look at Clark, who stood by the doorway letting his eyes roam over Pina’s body, and Dane knew they were in trouble. All six of them found Pina incredibly attractive, and these chance encounters were more than just coincidence.
“Pina, so nice to see you so soon.” Niall approached and gave her a kiss on her cheek. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she gripped his forearms.
“Niall, how are you?”
“Better now. This is a nice surprise,” he said as Bo and Taylor introduced Rose and then got her a drink.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Knox asked Pina.
She shook her head. “I’m good, thank you.”
“She’ll take a tequila sunrise if you know how to make one,” Rose blurted out, and Pina turned to look at Rose, but Niall cupped her cheek.
“This is a really nice surprise.” He leaned closer to kiss her lips when she turned, and he kissed the corner of her mouth.
The sight of his brother’s hand on her ass and the firmness of his hold completely turned Dane on. The woman had an incredible body but seemed resistant to Niall’s actions.
“Niall, don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what? Kiss you? Hold you in my arms? Sorry, baby, I can’t resist.” He pressed his lips to her neck.
“Don’t say such things.”
Niall squinted at her. “I speak the truth. Come on, sit with us. Get to know my brothers.” He pulled back, took her hand, and led her to the set of long couches at the front of the boat where the others were.
Dane watched Knox walk a drink over to her. His brother gave her a wink, and she stared at him like the man was a god.
“So how was dinner?” Jonah asked, joining them with a drink in hand.
Dane looked at Knox, who winked and then walked back to the bar and grabbed a few beers. He came back, passing them around.
“It was great. The food is so good here.” Rose took a sip from her glass.
Niall sat next to Pina, and Jonah took a seat on the other side of her, leaning back all relaxed and sipping at a
glass of brandy.
When Pina crossed her legs, Dane caught sight of her skin and toned thighs. She was sexy, classy, and she looked a little intimidated.
“So what do you do for a living, Rose?” Trace asked.
“I’m an artist,” she said shyly. She was definitely intimidated by them, but not Pina. Pina gave her friend a smile and then looked at Jonah.
“She’s an amazing artist. You should see her work. You may like it.”
“What type of art does she do?” Jonah asked Pina, staring at her.
“Landscapes, portraits, and just some creative things.”
Jonah sat up slightly and ran his arm along the back of Pina’s seat.
“You’re impressed or just being supportive because she’s your friend?” he asked.
Pina squinted at him. “She’s very talented. Anyone with a good eye and a knack for seeing true talent would notice that immediately,” she retorted, holding his gaze.
“Is that so?”
“You know great art, how?” Dane asked, and she looked away from Jonah and toward Dane.
“I’ve picked up on things over the years. There are certain things I like and don’t like.”
“I have pictures on my cell phone if you want to see?” Rose chimed in.
Pina looked at her friend and then held her hand out for Pina to take the cell phone so she could show Jonah and Niall the pictures. She stood up and took the camera, and Jonah and Niall stood as well. They took advantage of their positions, pressing close to her to look at the cell phone. The image made Dane wonder what Pina looked like naked. How arousing it was to see her sandwiched between his two brothers.
“These look interesting. Of course we would have to see them in person,” Jonah said, wrapping an arm around Pina’s waist.
She glanced up at him. “Only if you’re serious, Jonah. This is Rose’s life. She puts so much love and effort into every painting and truly captures the images and emotions.”
Jonah stared down into her eyes. “I take things very seriously.”
Dane joined them and took her hand that held the cell phone.
“I want to see, too.” He pulled her closer. She turned to put her back toward him so she could show him the camera. He placed his hand on her hip, and she shuddered, giving a small gasp and obviously feeling the same attraction he felt.
“These are interesting as Jonah said. Where are they being shown?” he asked her.
When she pulled back and swallowed hard, he felt the loss of touching her. He stared at her lips, then her abundant breasts in the sleeveless blouse she wore. The pearls around her neck dipped into the deep cleavage of her top, and he itched to pull them free and steal a stroke.
“She has a small studio.”
“So they aren’t in a gallery?” Knox now added to the conversation.
“No, not yet.”
“She’s shown them before and got no bites? Is that what you’re telling us?” Jonah asked. She glanced at Rose, whose cheeks turned red in embarrassment.
“She hasn’t had any opportunities yet.”
“Well, being an artist among thousands it’s difficult to get discovered. People look for a uniqueness, something rare,” Jonah said to her.
“Well, Nolan may be showing Rose’s work at the museum and art school as well as at a special event in two weeks,” Pina said to them.
“Seriously? You didn’t even tell me, Pina,” Rose said, and Pina stepped away from Jonah, Dane, and Niall. She handed Rose her cell phone.
“I didn’t want to get your hopes up, Rose. There are no guarantees in life no matter how good an offer might appear at face value.” She gave Jonah the once-over.
“What event is it that you’ll be attending?” Niall asked her.
“One at the Ritz Carlton. It’s a black-tie affair by invitation only. Liam Russell is hosting it.”
Dane looked at Knox and Clark. They would be working as undercover security for Mercury James and his brothers that night for the hotel. They would definitely need more details on the guests attending.
“How about a tour of the boat, Rose, and we can make another drink at the inside bar?” Bo suggested, and she said yes, which seemed to irritate Pina, who walked toward the side of the boat and looked out at the water.
Trace immediately approached her.
“You seem irritated with us and we hardly know one another.”
She turned slightly and glanced up at him. “I don’t know you, and I don’t mean to come across that way.” She glanced at Dane, Knox, Jonah, and Clark.
“I don’t play games.” Trace stepped closer and placed his hand on her hip. Her arms went down by her sides.
“Are you certain?” he asked.
She squinted at Trace. “What does that mean?”
“It means you stand here and pretend you aren’t attracted to us, yet use the fact to get us to view your friend’s artwork.”
“I didn’t ask you to view it. You asked what she did, and the conversation flowed. It was an opportunity to see how interested you really are.”
Trace reached up and cupped her cheeks. Her hands landed on his.
“Very interested.” Trace pressed his lips to hers.
Dane was not at all shocked by his brother’s move. He wondered what she tasted like and would feel like in his arms as well.
When Trace got his fill of her lips, he scattered kisses along her throat and to her neck. “We all keep meeting like this. I think it’s fate.”
She exhaled. “Trace, I don’t believe in fate.” She stepped back, and Trace placed his hands on her hips.
“You feel it, too. Why deny it?”
“Because nothing can come of it. I know of you, each of you, and your reputations.”
“What have you heard?” Clark snapped at her.
She looked at him, and his brother stared at her as though he wanted to strip her naked or something. He hadn’t seen any kind of reaction from Clark in years. It aroused Dane and made him feel hopeful, which was so strange.
“Just things, and to be honest, I don’t date and I certainly don’t sleep around. You’re wasting your time. All I ask is that you be honest with Rose. If you don’t like her work or don’t think she has what it takes, then don’t lead her along. She’s been hurt enough times and disappointed, especially by men claiming to be her saving grace.”
“What about you, Pina? Been disappointed by men and left bitter toward all of them now?” Knox asked, surprising Dane.
She didn’t answer as Rose came back out smiling and laughing.
“You have got to see the inside of this yacht, Pina. It’s stunning,” Rose said.
“Definitely let them show you the boat,” Bo said to her.
“Come on, Pina, we’ll show you.” Dane motioned with his hand for her to come along. She hesitated but obviously her curiosity got the better of her as he took her hand and squeezed, then led her through the opening and down the stairs.
When they were in the lower part of the boat and she was taking in the sights, she seemed sincerely impressed.
“My God, that bar is amazing.” She ran her palm along the black granite top.
He couldn’t help but wonder what those hands would feel like against his skin. She was super sexy, and he was a man who never backed down from something he wanted. When she turned to look at him, realizing she was in the doorway of the bedroom, he gripped her hips and stepped her backward toward the bed. He closed the door and pressed her against the wall, caging her in.
“I’m not a patient man, and I need to know.” He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her. What he hadn’t expected was to feel her hands move around his waist and up his back as he pressed harder against her and devoured her moans. He gripped one of her hips and then slid his hand up her ribs and cupped her breast. She tightened up, but he continued to kiss her, get a full taste of her, and soak up this intense attraction he felt. He stroked her nipple through the material of her blouse and rocked his hips against her belly. A
s he eased his mouth off of hers, he cupped her neck and head and stared down into her glistening eyes. Her lips were wet and full, the expression one of pure shock.
“I know. It’s fucking insane.”
She shook her head. “I can’t do this.”
“You just did, and you want more. You want to kiss all of us and feel our hands on you, touching you, exploring you.” He leaned closer and suckled the skin of her neck. She ran her fingers through his hair.
“I can’t, Dane. I just can’t,” she said, her voice shaking. He pulled slightly back and narrowed his eyes at her, wondering why she was shaking and why she was resistant, almost scared.
“We won’t hurt you.”
She licked her lips and then cupped his cheek. “I’m not right for you, for anyone.”
Something wasn’t right. Her words hit his gut.
“There’s someone else?”
She shook her head. “It’s a bad time, that’s all.”
“Are you sure there isn’t more to it? If you’re in some kind of trouble…” He looked into her eyes and tried to read her mind. He saw the flash of vulnerability and fear as though he was right in his analysis. She snorted and then stroked his lip with her finger, wiping away what must be remnants of her lip gloss.
“I take care of myself, Dane. I’m ready to leave now please.”
He didn’t like that response, but he wasn’t going to push her further. Not right now and not where she would think he was using his power, his strength, to force the issue. He took her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed the top.
“This won’t be the last time one of us will kiss you,” he promised,
“And it won’t be the last time I stop it from going further and resist it.”
“I want to know—”
She shook her head and covered his lips with her finger. Then she smoothed his shirt and he fixed her blouse and the pearls that dipped between her breasts.
He didn’t know what else to say, but he knew this wasn’t going to end here as he took her hand, opened the door, and they headed back upstairs to the upper deck.
Chapter 6
“Wait, enlarge that, right there on his arm,” Clark told Knox as he and Dane looked at the computer screen.
Tequila Sunrise [Love on the Rocks 4] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) Page 9