by Diane Taylor
“Right. Now, get Rogue out of here and go carefully with the tiger and I want the cub pampered to a fare thee well. Get the roadies and the stage hands in gear. I want him out of here and on the highway as soon as possible.”
Logan handed her a disk before leaving and smiled. “A gift for you.”
Once the corridor was cleared out, she reached down and hauled Sam to his feet. “Quit your whining, Lodina. I am my father’s daughter. If I had wanted you dead, you would have been impaled by my knife throw and castrated before you could even start screaming.” She turned and walked him into the room where her dad and Sean still stood. “I believe, Rogue, you need to keep a leash on your manager. He almost got hamstrung.”
“I’ll sue you! You horrible woman!” Sam’s face turned an interesting shade of red and the veins in his neck looked like they were going to burst out of his pale skin at any moment.
“Oh, I sure hope you try, Sam. As a matter of fact, please do. Then you can explain why you hit one of my people, rendering her unconscious. Also, I want to hear you explain to the cops why you attacked Miss Deveau without provocation or warning.”
“I did not!” He glared at Rogue. “I don’t know what she’s talking about. The woman told me I couldn’t come in here to listen to this meeting.”
Rogue looked at me and arched an eyebrow over his mask.
Carmen laid the tip of her knife on the inseam of Sam’s pants and explained to everyone in the room. “Michelle Deveau is an expert in self-defense, knife fighting and is an expert in firearms. If she had seen you coming, we would not be having this conversation. Most likely you’d be cupping your nuts and we’d have to remove her boot from your ass. Be thankful Logan didn’t get to you. He's more than a little pissed off at the moment. I won’t go into what he’d like to do to you because it isn’t necessary.” She looked over at her dad. “Maybe I should get my old teacher to come down here by telling him he has a new practice dummy waiting for him. I’m sure he’d love to experiment with his acupuncture methods.”
Carmen’s dad opened his mouth to say something until she winked at him. With considerable effort, he nodded sagely, “Master Chang is always eager to exploit his…” his lips twitched as he controlled the laughter. “Talents.”
Sam blanched and looked to his boss for help. “They wouldn’t.”
Rogue hadn’t missed a single exchange between father and daughter. “She would, Sam, trust me. So, for your own protection, you’re going to be by my side at all times. No more going out for drinks with your boyfriends, no stepping outside the room unless one of Miss Marshall’s team is with you.”
“But, but….”
“No buts! You’ve managed to alienate yourself from this team at each turn. So far, they’ve done their job despite your efforts to sabotage their authority and get me to fire them. Now, before I find the hot pink duct tape, we’re going to head over to my hotel room and get it packed.”
Carmen turned him loose and watched as even the tiger snarled at Sam As Rogue passed her, he took her hand and lifted it up to his lips, nibbling them lightly before leaving. Checking her watch, she saw it was almost midnight, then looked up at her dad. “Well, I know you aren’t here on a social call just to visit me, so call in your people and get this place photographed and cleaned up.”
He looked shocked, “How did you know my team was here?”
Laughing, Carmen nodded to the doorway where his people hovered. “Do you think I wouldn’t know? Puhleeze, Dad. You don’t go anywhere without them. Now let’s go get something to eat and drink.”
“You heard my daughter. Get in here guys and get everything tagged and bagged.”
The team erupted into laughter and headed in. Her dad looked around, then smiled. “You still like Spanish Guitar music?”
“You know I do.”
“Good. I’ve got just the place. Come on.”
She stopped a moment to scoop up her radio and took one last look around. “I want copies of the pictures, guys. No editing out, no withholding stuff. This is my client, and his protection is my job. I can’t do it if I don’t know what’s going on.”
“You’ll get it, Carmen. You have my word.”
*****
The strains of the Flamenco guitar floated in the air around them half an hour later. In front of them were the steaming dishes her dad had insisted on paying for. Two bottles of beer were on hand as they sat and watched each other like wary adversaries until the waitress left them alone. Carmen grabbed a piece of garlic bread. and looked him in the eyes. “I’m not going to beat around the bush like Mom normally does. Why are you and your team suddenly showing an interest in my client?”
He sighed and leaned back. “No, you never were one to pull punches. We were ordered to investigate the slave trade. White slavery to be exact. The files we were handed included The Rogue. For some odd reason, no one knows what he looks like and...”
Carmen held up a hand. “I’ve probably got the same stuff you do.” She sighed and placed her fingers theatrically over her forehead. “Allow the Great Madame Forlessa to tell you what your file says.” She paused in her cheap gypsy accent for effect.
“Oh, and what does the great Madame Forlessa see in the files I have.”
“Because he wears a mask and appears to be such a mysterious figure, and because his troupe is such tight lipped and loyal, he has come under suspicion of certain government agencies. Women have been known to throw themselves at him and are rebuffed or are ignored. Known associates of The Rogue include one Mistress Yasmeen, whom he absolutely loathes.” She looked him in the eyes, “The dressing room was her doing, by the way.”
He nodded. “Almost word for word. Actually, it’s this Yasmeen lady we want, not The Rogue. Our records actually have him as one of the good guys, even if he’s a bit weird and has a white tiger as a pet.” He took a drink of his beer. “Yasmeen is loaded and has contacts throughout the world. She’s got a reputation of being a bitch if she can’t get what she wants.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, Dad. According to Rogue, she’s been after him for a while now. The mess you walked in on was one of her more... creative tendencies. I need to review the surveillance disks to find out who walked in and did it while he was on stage. Whoever it is, I’m going to have words with them about obeying my orders.”
“There’s a few rumors floating around the office he’s screwing his manager.”
Carmen choked on her drink, prompting a waiter to come over and pound on her back until she got her lungs cleared. “If I know you, you’ve been laying bets on this. Which way are you betting and how much is the wager?”
A ghost of a smile flitted across his face as he munched on his food. “Enough to make me a very happy man for at least a couple weeks if what I saw in the dressing room was true.”
“Well, I can guarantee you a very happy two weeks, Dad. His Manager may be the flaming twink of the bunch, but Rogue is prime grade A straight.” She held up a hand to halt any interruptions. “And before you start asking those types of questions, yes. We are attracted to each other. Enough so, we’re hard put to keep business and pleasure separate.”
He reached across the table to take her hand. “Hon, despite what your mother thinks about you, I’ve always been proud of you, scars and all.” He grinned wickedly. “Your mother howled and shrieked like a banshee when we were told about the attack on you, demanding I bring you home to hide your ‘horrid condition’.”
Carmen snorted in disgust. “Horrid condition my ass. She’d take one look at my face and lock me in my room. I hope you gave her a good talking to.”
“I sure did. When she figured out I wasn’t going to back down, she asked for a divorce.”
“Did you?”
“Yes. She got everything except what she truly wanted.” Her dad leaned back in his chair with a very satisfied smile on his face.
“Lemme guess, your pension and your nuts on a plate.”
“You got it. I let her
have the house and everything.” He smiled. “I’m happier being around the guys anyway. Life is certainly easier than having to deal with coming home to your mother and have her try and grill me about why I’ve been gone for three weeks due to undercover ops work I couldn’t tell her about.”
Carmen sighed and held his hand a bit more. “Well, you’ve got me at least. The best part is, I don’t load you up with the cutesy wootsey cards every chance I get. Or the religious stuff which gets sent in the mail.”
The conversation would have gone on a bit more if the waiter hadn’t arrived bearing a tray. “Miss Marshall?”
“Yes?” Carmen turned to glance up at him.
He looked distinctly uncomfortable as he set the small tray down in front of her. “A message for you, Miss Marshall. The person who left it with the Maitred’ left before he could be questioned.”
Carmen nodded. “Thank you. I’ll take care of it.”
The waiter nodded and left, leaving them alone once more.
On the tray sat an ivory colored envelope, waiting for her to open it. Looking up, Carmen sighed, “And here I was thinking we’d have at least one night to relax without having to deal with idiots.” Using her steak knife, she pressed down on it just to make sure there wasn't any wires or nastiness inside. At least whoever sent this was smart enough to know I’m not so stupid as to just go ahead and touch the damned thing.
Her dad was staring intently at her. “Want me to open it?”
“Nah, I have a feeling whoever sent this is watching and wants to set me up.” Carmen took a napkin and picked up the envelope. “But you can have it for prints afterwards.” She grinned.
“Oh gee, thanks.” Her dad snorted. “After you get your tail into trouble.”
Expertly, she cut it open and tapped out the note. Using a fork, she opened it up and took a good look at it. What she read made her blood run cold.
You were good, little one. But if you wish to keep Duncan and Sean alive, you will join me for
drinks at the Sanctuary Club. You may bring anyone you wish, including the handsome specimen you are dining with this evening. Simply tell the doorman your name, then you and your party will be allowed inside. No harm will come to you while you are within my realm.
You have one hour,
Mistress Y.
“Do you want to let me in on what it says or do I get to wrestle it away from your hands?” Her dad’s voice brought her back to the present. Handing over the note, she sighed. “Feel like meeting your suspect tonight?” Carmen finished off her beer. “I need to hit the lady’s room. Tell me what you want to do. We’ve got an hour.”
She stood up and headed for the back hallway. The lights were dim enough to make her pause to let her eyes get accustomed to the surroundings. Two steps into the hallway, a hand reached out of the darkness to place itself over her mouth, silencing any noise.
Startled, Carmen began to fight back getting in one or two punches before a harsh whisper ceased her fighting. “Carmen! It’s me, Duncan!”
Hearing his familiar voice, she stopped fighting and relaxed back against the body behind her. Reaching up, she touched his hand across her mouth. When it moved, she sighed, “Damn it, Duncan, don’t do that! I’ve got enough problems to deal with, without being startled from behind.” She turned and thumped him in the chest one more time before turning her back on him to check the hallway once more.
Duncan wrapped an arm around her middle and pulled her close, resting a chin on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. “But I wanted to make sure you’re safe.” His cheek rubbed against her neck while he hugged her close.
Heat pooled low in her body. “Duncan.” She reached up to run a hand through his short hair. “Please tell me you saw him off to the plane. Tell me he’s okay?”
“He’s safe, Carmen. Your team has him well protected. Why? What’s happened?”
When she explained, he ripped out a snarl not unlike the sound Khan made. “Don’t worry, I’ve got my dad here and I can get his team involved, they’ll be partially visible.”
He nipped her neck and held her tightly. “You will have one extra with you. No arguments, Carmen. I’m going with you. You need someone who will know what she’s up to and how you can keep her from pushing all your buttons.”
Grumbling, Carmen turned in his arms to gaze into his perfectly blue eyes. The same color eyes Khan had. “You know it’s what she wants. She’s given everyone with me safe conduct, but she’s going to work really hard to make me break whatever rules the place has. Once it happens, all bets are off. My dad and his people are adept at getting out of places like this. But you.” She closed her eyes. “You and Rogue are special to me and you rank high on my `Mess with them and I’ll break your knees.. Or worse’ list. I know I haven’t known either of you for very long but, with the exception of the little prick manager he’s got, you guys have accepted me, scars and all. Best of all, you don’t wince and look away when you see me coming.”
He smiled and nipped her chin. “We all have scars, Carmen Marshall. Some of us just hide them better. Personally, I think they’re beautiful.” He winked. “The two of us have talked about you a lot since you first showed up at his home. He thinks you’re sexy as hell.”
She groaned. “Do you really have to remind me? It’s a fight just to keep my mind on my job, Duncan. Right now, I know I need to get on a plane and do my job, but I also need to get this bitch out of your lives. Personally, I think you’re as sexy as he is and it’s going to be a fight to keep my hands to myself. Now, I need to get to the ladies room, then back to Dad. I’m not really dressed for the occasion, however.”
He held her close, then dipped her in an elegant fashion. When he brought her up, it was to meet her lips with his. Good gods! The thought floated across Carmen’s brain as he spun her around so she had the support of the wall. This man can make any woman go from zero to total meltdown in a heartbeat. Her arms went around him to hold him tight, trying to regain control of herself and failing miserably.
Sensing her internal fight, Duncan pulled back to gaze into her eyes. The naked lust seemed indelibly etched on his face. He also didn’t seem to realize where he was. His body began to tremble and his hands gripped her tighter. “Carmen.” His voice had a harsh growling tone.
Carmen ran a hand over his cheeks, noticing the roughness of his face, as if he had suddenly began to grow a beard in the last few minutes. When she looked into his eyes, she got quite a shock. His eyes were a luminescent blue color, reflecting the tiniest bit of light in the dimness of the hallway. Carefully, so as not to startle him, she ran her hand down his muscular arm to his hand. Picking it up, she placed a kiss on the inside of the palm, noticing his fingers arching slightly to reveal claws. “Duncan!”
Just saying his name brought his attention back to her. As she watched, his eyes returned to normal, and she could feel his claws disappear. “Have you got some idea of what to wear to this blasted Sanctuary? If so, go get them because I want to make an impression this bitch will never forget.”
He grinned and nodded. “Oh don’t worry, I have something which will piss her off to no end because every eye in the place will be on you instead of her.” He caressed her cheek one more time before stepping away. Even the dark hallway wasn’t enough to hide the dark outline of his hard cock against the tight, black jeans.
“Oh, and Duncan?”
“Yes?” He paused to turn and look back over his shoulder.
She walked over to him and ran her hand over his chest. “I’m not a slut, Duncan, but you certainly tempt me. But, until you let me see the real you and not the eye candy I’m looking at now, we’re just friends.”
“Agreed. Now go do your thing and let me get your attire, Madame Marshall.” With those parting words, he faded into shadows, then moved out the back door.
Sighing, Carmen went to the ladies room and splashed some cold water on her face before returning to her table. Her dad still sat where she had left him,
but now, he had company. Five other men had gathered around him. Taking her seat, she looked around at the gathered group of men with a grin. “Dad, I do believe we’re going to take a hell of a lot of air out of Mistress Yasmeen’s sails.”
“Oh?” Her dad leaned forward slightly. “How?”
Carmen couldn’t seem to keep the grin off her face. “Oh hell yeah.” Checking the time, she glanced around the table. “Gentlemen? However many of you are going to be visible at this little get together, you have less than one hour to make yourselves into the most tasty eye candy this city has ever seen.” Then she waved her beer glass at her dad. “You know, she specifically asked about you. She doesn’t know you’re my dad. So, you want to do what you do best?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do the infamous ‘touch my daughter and I’ll break your nuts’ act. You know, the one you used to use whenever I brought home a boyfriend you didn’t like.” Carmen chuckled.
The whole team fell out of their chairs laughing. Bobby actually looked at him and said,
“Oh, this is going to be interesting! I get dibs on the video surveillance!”
Carmen finished her beer and looked at them with a smile. “We’re going to have one other person with us when we go. He’s going to be sticking close to me and making sure Yasmeen doesn’t push any emotional buttons. This isn’t up for negotiation. Duncan’s got more in depth experience with her than anyone here. All you guys have to do is make sure her pets don’t try anything while I deal with this bitch.”
They nodded and Dad said, “Right. Here’s what we do...”
Chapter Six
I feel like a damned reject from Blade. Carmen thought to herself for the fifteenth time as she shrugged her shoulders in the leather getup she had on. Duncan had certainly come through, which made her wonder what type of women he entertained. He even supplied the outfits for the guys. Her top actually turned out to be a black leather bikini. What made it so over the top were the creative slashes in the leather, revealing the red suede lining, as if an animal had clawed it. The hard flesh of her stomach showed the glaring scars in the street lights, tracing their savage lines down under the waistline of the low slung leather black leather pants. The outside seam parted dead center of each leg and blood red boot laces criss-crossed upwards to the waist. With each move, the leather cupped and sighed as the flesh moved underneath it. The pant legs themselves were tucked into steel toed boots snugged tightly to her ankles. The red suede claw motif worked its way up the front and back, matching the ones on her bikini top. Over it all, a black duster hugged her shoulders before billowing out around her legs.