Ladies of the Night OMNIBUS Collection: Sizzling Romantic Suspense

by Taylor Lee

  As if to make it clear just how bad it was going to be, Ian sidled up to her. His eyes were light with laughter, his voice low, seductive.

  “Now, Diamond. Please. Tell me that you’ve accepted my apology and that we are starting fresh. After all, my prickly Queen Bee, how can we convince the world that we are lovers if you aren’t even speaking to me?”

  He rubbed his lips softly against the side of her neck then tipped her chin up and held her gaze.

  “How about it, Col. Davis? Are we good? Can we call a truce? Declare that we’ve survived our first, ahem, lover’s spat?”

  Chapter 8

  “Look, Ian, I know the emails are troubling, particularly to a political neophyte like your young lady here. But hell man, you know what a worthless piece of shit Deacon Brunson is.”

  The impressive looking gray-haired black man threw Ian a disgusted glance and gave a puzzled shrug.

  “Dunno what his mammy was thinkin’ naming that little prick after a preacher-man. Hell, there isn’t a racist son of a bitch alive in Dixie today who is less worthy of being called a preacher man. No, Sir, Deacon Brunson could better have been called Demon Brunson. That would have at least approximated the true nature of the man.”

  Ian shared a glance with Diamond signally for her to ignore the Senator’s unintended jibe at her. He knew he needn’t worry. Unfortunately Diamond was accustomed to being mistaken as a lightweight by men a lot less knowledgeable than Senator John Walker. But dammit, it must get old. Before Ian could enlighten their garrulous client, Senator Walker compounded his error. The suave man bowed to Diamond with a slight smile.

  “Ah, Miss…? I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name. Forgive me. I’m just surprised that my friend the Colonel brought one of his beautiful ‘lady- friends’ to a confidential meeting.”

  Ian pinned the arrogant man with a hard stare.

  “Excuse me, Senator. Before you dig a deeper hole for yourself and are forced to crawl into it, may I introduce my business partner, Colonel Riley Davis? I will admit the Colonel is a gorgeous woman but, in addition to being my partner, Col. Davis is the founder of LOTN, Inc. You may recall that is the high level security company that employs Chloe—aka Ruby—Harper, your soon to be daughter-in-law. I think your son will be a tad provoked to hear that you’ve lumped his fiancée’s boss among ‘my lady-friends.’ ”

  Walker’s eyes widened in surprise but he quickly recovered. With an annoyed sniff he glared at Ian.

  “Christ, man. The least you could do is warn a guy. Besides, as I thought I made crystal clear to you, my son is absolutely not to know this minor challenge I’m facing. Do you understand, Son?”

  Ian shook his head dismissively, ignoring the imperious man’s pique.

  “Look, Senator Walker, let’s both be crystal clear. For once you’re not driving this particular rodeo. Let’s start with the fact that I am not your ‘son.’ In addition, as I’ve just noted, Col. Davis is partnering with me on what we both consider to be serious threats to you. Finally, the first thing that I intend to do after this conversation is to call Noah Walker. Agent Walker is one of my three premier agents and also happens to be one of my best friends.”

  Walker broke in, his voice taut with ill-suppressed anger. “And Col. Ross, Noah is my son—which in my mind trumps your professional and personal friendship. Are we clear, Ian?”

  Ian smiled. “That’s my question for you, Senator Walker.”

  He paused holding the scowling man’s gaze. Ian knew how hard it was for the Senator to concede anything. The guy was accustomed to be obeyed instantly. Arrogant, stubborn, there wasn’t an appellation strong enough to describe the battle scarred politician who wouldn’t back down from a fight if he was facing Mohammad Ali in the ring. Knowing that they were at a make or break point in this latest stand-off, Ian refused to look away from the agitated man. When the Senator finally reluctantly nodded indicating that at some level he agreed, Ian continued.

  “Good, John, I’m glad that we agree. Fortunately for you, my partner has had much too much experience being diminished by arrogant men who live to regret that they pigeonholed her incorrectly. If Diamond agrees, we’ll write off your incorrect assumption as ordinary ignorance. Now back to the crux of the issue.”

  Taking out his cell phone, Ian pulled up the emails that Sen. Walker had forwarded to him. Clicking through the ugly tableau, he shook his head.

  “C’mon, John, we all know these messages are over the top.”

  Clearly trying to regain the rudder, Walker snarled. “That just goes to show what a privileged life you’ve led, Ian. I’ve dealt with this racist shit all my life and so has my son. Fuck it, Ian. Even though I’m now a relatively rich man and should have been able to put this crap behind me, there’s nothing like running against a bible-thumping racist to confirm that old habits—and old prejudices—die hard.”

  Ignoring the Senator’s reference to Ian’s supposedly charmed life, Ian put up his hands.

  “I agree, John. Old habits and particularly old prejudices do die hard. But no one, wealthy or not, should receive death threats when they enter the political arena. And you have to admit, that is what these threats are. They don’t say that the perpetrator is going to beat you at the polls, Senator. Hell no. They make it dammed clear that you aren’t going to make it to the poll. If these threats hold true, no one will be voting for you Senator, because you’ll be dead.”

  Ian pointed to the cartoon drawing of a naked, grey-haired black man hanging from the end of a knotted rope fastened to a tall tree. It was only one of a dozen hideous images conjured up from an ugly era that Ian had hoped was long past. He stared at his frowning client who was rubbing his hand absentmindedly across his eyes. Deciding he had nothing to lose, Ian pointed to a particular aspect of the horrible images. That was the Senator’s distorted sexuality underscored by his enlarged sexual organs.

  “Surely you don’t consider these pictures as ‘politics as usual,’ John?”

  Walker guffawed. “I guess I should be pleased that even at my age the stereotype of the oversexed black man still holds true, Ian.”

  Refusing to buy into Walker’s swaggering bravado, Ian shook his head.

  “No, John, you should not be pleased by any of these hideous images. They speak to a deranged mind. While I have trouble believing that another candidate for the United States Senate is directly responsible for this trash, it is apparent someone on his behalf holds these beliefs. I intend to talk with his handlers and make them aware of the threats. Whether any of them are directly responsible is unlikely, but it doesn’t hurt that they know the ugliness that a likely supporter of theirs is spewing. They’re smart enough to know it could come back to bite them in the ass. Hard.”

  Senator Walker shrugged.

  “Both Brunson and I are going to be at a teacher’s union rally today. Be my guest. After you’ve heard what my esteemed competitor is willing to say about me on the record, in public no less, maybe you’ll change your mind about the prick being responsible.”

  In answer to the soft knock on his door, Sen. Walker rose to his feet and said to the light-skinned black man standing in the doorway.

  “Come in, Peter. You remember Col. Ross, or at least I hope you do, given that gargantuan contribution he managed to shoehorn into one of our barely legal PACs the last time around.”

  Peter Kennedy flushed slightly and nodded to Ian.

  “Of course I remember Col. Ross, and just to reassure you, Sir, the money you contributed to Senator Walker was deposited into a completely legal PAC.”

  Senator Walker laughed aloud at his aide’s clear concern and waved him in.

  “Christ, Peter, the last thing you have to worry about Ian Ross is that he’d somehow let one red cent of his massive fortune be tainted in the slime of politics. No, Sirree!”

  Dragging his hand through his crop of short greying curls, Walker grimaced.

  “Shut the door, Peter. You need to know that I showed my good friend Co
l. Ross some of the emails we’ve been receiving. Given that his enemies have been the terrorists in the Middle East, the good Colonel doesn’t know real terrorists when he sees them. Which is why I’m going to introduce him to Deacon Brunson this afternoon. Perhaps after he meets the smooth talking racist pig he’ll agree with one of my favorite tents of the master, Malcolm X.: Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.”

  The young aide flushed a darker color. Clearly concerned, he reproached his boss.

  “Senator, I hope that you will stick to less inflammatory quotes this afternoon. No sense in giving Brunson an excuse to label you as a rabble rouser.”

  Senator Walker threw his aide a disgusted glance as he began shoving papers in his bulging leather briefcase.

  “Don’t worry, Peter. You know that you can count on me to be a perfect gentleman—as always.” A broad grin lit his expressive face.

  “That is, unless the little prick says something to piss me off. Then it’s Katy, bar the door.”

  His smile disappeared as he leveled a hard stare at his flustered assistant.

  “Remember what else Malcolm said: If you turn the other cheek, you can be enslaved for 1,000 years.”

  Ignoring Peter’s heartfelt groan, Senator Walker turned to Ian and Diamond and chuckled. “Come along, friends. While Peter is donning his chain mail, preparing to protect himself from the fallout of my latest outrages, it’s high time one of my most important financial backers sees how a master works. Yes, Sirree, to see how easily a man armed with facts and balls of steel can put a pissant like Brunson in the dirt without striking a single blow.”

  As he walked to the door, the Senator stopped in front of Diamond and reached for her hand. Grasping it he pulled her closer to him and smiled a salacious smile.

  “So you are the ‘hell on wheels’ commander Noah and his buddies are always talking about. The head honcho who has powerful women like my son’s fiancée quaking in her high heels? Hell, from what Grayson, Jase, and Noah tell me, forget diamonds. According to some mighty impressive men, if anyone has balls of steel it’s you!”

  He looked Diamond up and down, not bothering to couch his lecherous appraisal of her body. When he’d had his fill, not releasing Diamond’s hand, he glanced over at Ian and winked.

  “I dunno Col. Ross, if anyone deserves to be in that pulchritudinous posse of yours, this work of art belongs at the top of the pile. Tell me she can handle a gun as well as she can pull off those blue jeans and designer high heels and I’ll be even more impressed with your ability to snare the cream of the crop than I ever was.”

  ~~~

  Watching Senator Walker striding through the crowd, stopping every two to three people to shake hands and often calling them by name, Diamond was impressed. As obnoxious as he was on some levels, and he most assuredly was that, Walker was obviously a gifted politician. From the crowds of people pressing forward trying to reach out and touch him it was clear that Senator Walker’s supporters were all races, men and women, young and old. Even teenagers were weaving their way through the crowd seeking to shake his hand.

  Diamond wanted to be annoyed at the way that the Senator had openly ogled her. But there was something about the teasing glint in his eyes that confirmed that he was testing her. Obviously he liked Ian, and moreover, respected him. Unlike the urbane financier and his easy going, sophisticated son, Noah, the brash Senator was cut from a different cloth. The chip on his shoulder was even bigger than the one Diamond carried around on hers. He’d clearly fought his way to the top of the heap where he was now firmly ensconced. Unlike Ian’s and even Noah’s considerable achievements that had been supported by money and stature, John Walker came from the streets. And he had the battle scars to prove it.

  When he’d purposefully taken her on, likely assuming that she would react angrily to his open chauvinism, the Senator seemed pleased when she simply returned his leer with one of her own. It was a mystery why she’d let him slide in ways she never had any of the other men who intentionally put her down. Perhaps it was because he was so openly mocking, as if a beautiful woman like her should be used to patronizing men. And his disdain confirmed that if she wasn’t used to it, it was her fault, not his own. Clearly he wanted to see if she was up to him. When she held his gaze as studied her, she saw his eyes light up briefly. If she read him right and she always read men right, she saw a momentary flash of respect cross his face. She was glad. John Walker was the kind of man she could respect. He didn’t kowtow to anyone, didn’t take shit from any man—no matter who they were. Moreover, it was clear he made those who dared to take him on pay, and pay dearly. And he didn’t take his revenge subtly or sneakily. Those unlucky individuals that John Walker disliked knew it. He made sure of it. No matter what it cost him in friends or good press, the easily riled Senator called out his enemies straight to their faces. Those were attitudes and actions that Diamond could respect. They were in fact the foundation of her personal credo.

  Chapter 9

  “Do you think that Senator Walker is promiscuous?”

  When Ian chuckled, Diamond felt her cheeks heat.

  “Why do you ask, Col. Davis? Because the lecherous old wolf looked as though he intended to gobble you up at any minute?” Before she could answer, Ian continued. “No doubt, like any red-blooded male animal, John was taken with you, my gorgeous partner. But is he promiscuous? Meaning does he play around? I don’t know. I hope that he would be smarter than that. Particularly in the fucking fishbowl that’s Washington D.C.”

  Ian frowned and looked serious for a moment.

  “Why do you ask, Diamond? Was it something other than his lusty response to you—which I have already explained is a physical reaction no man worth his jockstrap could contain?”

  Diamond sniffed determined not to let Ian diminish her insights. Dammit, if they were going to be partners then he could damn well start treating her as a partner not as some addle brained nitwit who was supposed to be his lover. Raising her chin she met his inquisitive gaze.

  “No, Col. Ross, it has nothing to do with his reaction to me. Or, maybe it does. It was almost as though he was testing me. He obviously knows women – and men, for that matter. I think he wanted to decide which side of the feminine divide I fell on.”

  “Hmm, that is an insight worth exploring, my intuitive partner. Mind explaining to this clueless man which particular ‘feminine divide’ you are referring to?”

  Diamond tossed her head and said with a soft snort, “As if you don’t know. The divide between the women you fuck and the ones you respect.”

  Ian jerked back, clearly surprised.

  “Phew, that’s a razor sharp line you’ve drawn, Col. Davis. You mean women can only fall on one side or the other? Never the twain shall meet?”

  Diamond shrugged. “For men like Senator Walker—and you, I might add—the line is indeed razor sharp.”

  Ian frowned and stepped forward, reaching for her arm.

  “That’s not only a provocative statement, Riley, but a damned insulting one. Not only to Senator Walker, but to me.” He jerked her closer and held her gaze. “Would you care to explain yourself?”

  Diamond shook off his hand and walked quickly to the door. Looking over her shoulder, she tried to ignore Ian’s obvious anger.

  “Actually, no, Ian. Besides…there’s nothing to explain.”

  She continued to the door, trying to put distance between them but Ian was too quick. In seconds he was at her side, once again reaching for her arm.

  “Look, Diamond. I know you’re angry with me. We established that on the plane today. Obviously you didn’t accept my apology about last night. Clearly we need to talk.”

  Diamond shook her head and tried to twist free but couldn’t break his tightening hold. She hesitated and then blurted, “Fine, dammit. Yes, I’m angry, Ian. But I’m not interested in discussing it now.”

  Ian’s frown deepened. He started to
speak but then glanced at his watch and nodded. His voice was curt.

  “You’re right. We don’t have time now, but we will. As soon as we get to our hotel room, you and I are going to have a long overdue conversation. Agreed?”

  Diamond jerked her arm free and marched through the door. Seeing Peter Kennedy in the hallway she hurried toward him, but Ian was at her side in seconds. Ignoring the group of people who’d turned at their approach, Ian pulled her back. His voice was low, but edged with anger.

  “I asked you a question, Col. Davis. Please answer me. Do you agree that when we get to the hotel, you and I will discuss what the hell is going on with you?”

  Once again, Diamond broke free and moved toward the Senator’s entourage. Over her shoulder, she said with a casual shrug. “Maybe…maybe not.”

  Ian’s jaw tightened and his slate gray eyes darkened. Diamond didn’t have to see his lips thin to a hard straight line as he stared at her through narrowed eyes to know that they definitely would be having a conversation. Ordinarily she would have been concerned, uneasy. She rarely challenged him. Instead, she was pleased. Since her long night vigil when she’d agonized over Ian’s teasing suggestion that they become lovers, Diamond had decided that she was going fight back. She was going to carve out a new relationship between them, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be as Ian’s pretend lover.

  As she joined Senator Walker’s entourage, putting as much distance as she could between herself and Ian, Diamond admitted that Ian had a right to be surprised at her insolence. For too long, she had let him control their interactions, their relationship. Granted she wouldn’t have a company if it wasn’t for Ian’s investment. His financial support and even more important, his advice had made it possible for her to create LOTN. Without him, creating a successful woman owned company that supplied elite women warriors to high level missions would have been a pipe dream at best. But now it was a reality. With Ian’s help, she’d assembled a team of women so competent they earned some of the highest fees in the industry. Astronomical fees that their clients were more than willing to pay. Most surprising was that she’d done it. Lt. Col. Riley Davis, the most incorrigible, difficult to work with agent in the elite security market had created the upstart company.