“Yeah,” Tyke said. “But they’re dying, right? Why chance it? Doesn’t seem like good odds to me.”
With a push of his finger, Reese guided his glasses farther up his nose. “That only fuels their motivation to join. If they survive, after all their peers have perished, they believe they truly are the chosen ones. Like immortal gods.”
Luke saw the appeal. The need to belong. The need to prove your worth. Knowing deep down that where you came from didn’t dictate who you were, but instead only determined the potential of where you could go. Hell, twenty-some years ago, he could’ve easily gone down this same path. Could’ve given into the circumstances he thought he was destined for. Drugs. Gangs. Death.
He hadn’t given in. These boys didn’t have to, either.
The team just needed to find Serrano and stop him. They needed to cut off the gang’s ties to the drug.
Luke’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, it showed a number he didn’t recognize.
“Yeah,” he said, turning his back to the other men.
“Luke?” a hesitant female voice said.
“Depends. Who’s asking?”
“It’s Cassandra. Cassandra Stone. We met at Max’s and then again—”
At the mention of her name, his stomach did a small flip and he wasn’t sure what to make of that. “I remember.”
“I know this might seem odd, me calling you out of the blue. But I was thinking earlier about your proposition…”
“You mean the date.” Just to be clear.
“Yes,” she said a little less enthusiastic. “…the date.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Tyke and Ash look his way with matching expressions—annoyed with a hint of curious.
“And?”
“And,” she said with a snip. Ms. Stone didn’t like being rushed. He smiled at that. “I might have been a little hasty. I wanted to know if you’d like to go to dinner tonight.”
A full-on smile exploded. “Oh, you would, would you?”
“Yes,” she said tightly, and probably rolled her eyes, too, but he didn’t care.
“Hmm,” he mused. “I’ll have to check my schedule. It fills up pretty quick, you know.”
“Tomorrow then? Or maybe Sunday?”
A zap of something hit him hard and fast between the legs. “That desperate to see me again, counselor?”
He’d written her off. Told himself good riddance. But goddamn if he didn’t come alive at the prospect of seeing her again.
“Never mind,” she said a little too quick. “Forget it. If you don’t want to—”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to.” He was going to wait and see how far he could stretch it, but then again, she might actually back out. “Tonight, you said?”
“Yes. Around seven?”
“Seven works. La Bella down on Fleet Street. Ever heard of it?”
“Yes. See you then.”
“Looking forward to—” The line went dead before he could get the words out.
Sliding his phone in his back pocket, he connected with Tyke’s pissed face first. “Oh, happy day. All’s right with the world. Calder’s gonna get laid.”
All was right with the world. Luke couldn’t explain how she’d affected him, but she had. When she turned him down yesterday, it wasn’t a shot to his ego. It was a hit to something else. Something very primitive and personal.
“Good,” Ash said. “So the old broads worked their magic and got Cassandra to change her mind.” He hit Luke with a sharp glance. “Find out what she knows so we can piece it together to stop these goddamn drugs.”
Luke had never dated a woman for anything other than just dating. Not for ulterior motives or for a case he was working. He wasn’t cool with the idea. But they needed to stop the shit going on in the high schools, and if Cassandra could help speed that up, then he’d do it. And if it turned into an actual fling with her in the process, then he wouldn’t complain about that either.
Reaching for a chair next to Reese, Luke was about to sit when Ash held a thick package out to him. “Landry sent this over today.”
Luke took it and glanced at the front, wondering what DEA North East Director Joseph Landry would send. Standing upright, he slid a manila-colored folder out of the large envelope. “Top Secret?”
“Not anymore.” After a pause, Ash lifted his chin, urging Luke to open it.
United States of America Drug Enforcement Agency
Memorandum for Record
July 31, 2016
Port of Baltimore
Luke scanned the document, recalling the events of that night. They’d stopped Viktor Heinrich and his goons from importing more of the drug Vamp into the port, and effectively saved the country from inevitable, lifetime addiction.
But they’d also killed Lorena Serrano, José’s daughter. Actually, Ash’s fiancée, Sam, had killed her. But based on the report in Luke’s hand, it documented Luke as the one who pulled the trigger.
Sam and her grandmother should have never been there that night. Ash wanted his fiancée as far away from this shit as possible. With good reason. This job was uncertain. One day you could be sitting on a beach in Rio chasing a harmless marijuana farmer and the next minute you could be in the slums of some third-world country being chased by a sadistic criminal. Not the most ideal occupation for one with a family.
So, to keep Sam out of harm’s way and to save Ash’s sanity, Luke agreed to put his name in the official document. It should’ve been Luke backing Ash up anyway.
“It’s compromised,” the team leader said about the file. “Our informant confirmed that Serrano knows.”
Of course he did. That was the reason they’d put Luke’s name on it. With Serrano’s connections, the team knew he’d see it; it was just a matter of when. Apparently sooner rather than later.
So it was official. No more guessing if Serrano would come after Luke. He was definitely coming now.
Preparing for a merciless drug lord to come after you and actually having it happen resulted in two very different emotions. Luke was trained to handle any situation, but when that situation was out of his control, specifically because the team didn’t know where the fuck Serrano was, it changed the parameters of the game quite a bit. Hard to see someone coming when you had no clue which direction to look.
Luke eyed Ash. “So this means…”
“We’re on high alert,” Ash responded. “No telling when or where Serrano will surface. We have to be ready. Lorena meant more to him than his drugs. He’s going to want revenge. And he’s not a patient man when he wants something.”
Luke should feel honored, really. Once Serrano found out where Luke was, the team wouldn’t have to search for Serrano. They would be able to stop the drugs, because both pieces of this mission would appear on their front step in a nice, big, dangerous bow.
Luke let that sink in for a moment, allowing the uneasy feeling to claw its way up his throat and take hold. Serrano was coming to kill him and it could help the team complete their mission. It should feel like a win-win.
It didn’t.
After a deep breath, Luke gathered himself and looked at his best friend. “Better me than her, right?”
Ash’s features hardened, gauging if Luke was being an ass or if he really meant his statement.
He meant it.
Ash had had his fair share of shit in his adult life. He deserved happiness. Luke would give his life for Ash, and he knew Ash would do the same for him. This was the way it was supposed to be. Sam was in their safe circle now.
Tyke’s voice came from the other side of the room where he dug inside a box full of ammo and magazines. “So we’re stuck trying to keep Calder alive, that it?”
“You got it,” Ash said with a nod. “Wherever he goes, we go.”
Tyke spun with a huge grin on his face. Loose bullets fell from his fists, clinking to the ground.
Catching his teammate’s too-eager expression, Luke straightened. “No
w wait just a second. I have a date tonight and there’s no way—”
Grinning, Tyke stepped forward like someone just told him Bass Pro Shops was having a five-finger sale in the hunting section. “You heard him, Lukie. Where you go, we go.”
Ignoring his teammate, Luke pleaded with Ash. “Come on, man. Is this really necessary? Serrano probably hasn’t even entered the country yet. Customs could be detaining him right now.” Or at least he hoped that was the case.
Kudos to Ash for keeping a straight face while Tyke stood next to him practically humping his leg. Thor was better trained than that big, dumb oaf. “Serrano is ruthless,” Ash said, fighting a smirk. “I’m not taking any chances.”
Sensing a disturbance in the force, Thor lifted his head from where he lay in the corner, and his ears perked to attention. He made a gruff noise as if questioning whether his services would be needed.
Looking at the German shepherd, Ash smiled. “You, too, Thor. Sam’ll kill my ass if the best man dies before the wedding.”
Chapter Seven
“She’s thirty minutes late,” Ash said into Luke’s earpiece.
“Thirty-four,” Reese corrected.
Tyke’s boisterous laugh cut in next. “She stood him up. Fucking classic. This day just keeps getting better and better.”
“You assholes can go home any time,” Luke murmured.
More laughter erupted over the COMs.
Reese set up visual surveillance of the restaurant inside a van across the street. Tyke and Ash posed as businessmen in suits having a meeting at a table on the other side of the intimate restaurant. All wore disguised earpieces so they could communicate with one another if needed.
Which really blew. How the hell was Luke supposed to get to know a woman, really know her, with these boneheads talking in his ear all night?
He chose his usual joint to meet Cassandra. Quiet with dim lighting. Tones of rich wood accented with red and deep purple cast a sexy aura. Usually a great atmosphere to set the mood and get acquainted. Usually. When he wasn’t on a date with a party of five.
Shifting in the soft velvet booth, Luke caught the glance of Monique, one of his usual waitresses. Another drink? her look said.
He waved her off. He wasn’t going to get drunk alone while his teammates watched like he was a pathetic sap who’d been stood up.
To be clear, Luke Calder didn’t get stood up. Or at least, he never had been. And he wasn’t planning on starting tonight.
His cell phone rested on the table in front of him. He swiped his hand across the smooth screen. No messages.
Had she changed her mind and decided not to come? If so, why not just text him and say so?
“I don’t even give a shit about saving your hide tonight,” Tyke said, “Serrano could walk in and put a bullet between your eyes right now, and I’d care more that you sat there like a sorry son of a bitch, drinking alone.”
“Thanks, buddy.” He touched his cell again.
Still no messages.
He could just call her. Maybe she was stuck in traffic or she was running late because she couldn’t find something to wear. In any other instance, Luke would’ve bailed by now. Thirty minutes was his max. If a woman didn’t show by then, he’d bug out. On any other night, he would have.
But not in front of his teammates. He’d be damned if he was going to get up and walk out alone. Shit, he’d never hear the end of it.
This was insane. He should just leave. It wasn’t technically a real date anyway. So why should he care if she didn’t show up or that the guys were ragging on him?
Another chuckle from Tyke. “God, I’m loving this. You should see your face. Luke Fucking Calder—self-proclaimed chick magnet finally met his match.”
“Oh, come on, Tyke,” Ash cut in, “Give him some credit. She could still show. It’s only been…”
“Forty-one minutes.”
“Thank you, Reese.” Ash laughed. “Forty-one total minutes.”
More freaking hilarity in his earpiece.
Then again, maybe he’d have another drink. Raising a hand, Luke signaled to Monique.
She’d just placed meals in front of a man and woman seeming to be enjoying their dinner. The woman had kicked off one of her black stiletto heels and was inching her bare foot up the inside of the man’s leg. He gave his date a look that even Luke could decipher from this distance. Dinner would be a very short affair for those two.
Monique slid the empty tray under her arm and headed toward the bar. The usual? she mouthed to Luke on her way.
He nodded, crossing an ankle over the opposite knee.
“So, how long you gonna wait, Lukie?” Tyke asked, sarcastic as hell. “Want me to come sit with you so you aren’t lonely? I could run my boot up your thigh, too.”
Luke wanted to shake his head, but refused to react and give Tyke that kind of power. He would sip his manhattan and give Cassandra another twenty minutes. If she didn’t show, then he’d head to the bar and chat it up with the sizzling blonde who just sat down. Anything to salvage this night and his pride.
“Ho-ly shit,” came Ash’s astonished voice.
Then a long whistle.
“No fucking way,” Tyke said. “I don’t believe it.”
Luke lifted his gaze to the front of the restaurant, searching. He spotted Cassandra almost immediately, and the anxiety swirling inside him melted away. She looked just as good, if not better than the first time he’d seen her. Much like that night at Max’s, she stood at the front, scanning each table, her worried expression growing deeper the longer she stood there.
But unlike their first meeting, she wasn’t searching nervously at the open expanse of restaurant for just anyone. No, this time she was looking for him. The excitement and anticipation of that thought sent him reeling. He’d never experienced emotion so strong before.
She slipped out of her long coat and draped it over her arm. Wearing a black-and-white print dress that tied at her waist, it accented her small middle. Her brown hair was down; soft curls at the ends reaching just below her shoulders. Eyes rimmed in black, lips covered in red, the woman looked like sex on skinny black heels. He’d gotten hard the second he spotted her, but now he was lose his effing mind stiff.
Luke adjusted in his seat and reminded himself this wasn’t about attraction. Something told him he’d have to keep reminding himself all freaking night.
His movement must have caught her attention because her gaze finally connected with his. On contact, her features warmed and her eyes sharpened with interest.
You’re not attracted to her. You’re not attracted to her.
Useless. He was still hard as an oak and lying through his teeth.
Not taking her attention from him, Cassandra made her way through the restaurant and stopped in front of him with a huff. “Sorry I’m late.”
“Glad you could make it,” he said. “I started to think maybe you’d given up.”
She slid into her side of the booth and placed her hands on the table. “Between work and trying to leave town on Monday, it’s been a little crazy. I completely lost track of time.”
“Visiting your family for the holiday?”
“Yes,” she said through an eager sigh. “One full week of rest and relaxation.”
“Good for you. I bet your family is excited to see you.”
Monique approached with his drink, placing it in front of him. “Can I get you something?” she asked Cassandra.
“Yes, um…” She picked up the drink menu and quickly scanned it. After a second of reading, she closed the menu. “A glass of the house pinot, please.”
He wanted to bring up her ex to see how she was doing, but he didn’t want to open fresh wounds if she wasn’t ready to talk about it. Plus, he didn’t want to embarrass her in front of the team. Might as well get to the topic that mattered most—the boys in the park. Luke linked his hands together over the table and leaned in. “So tell me about work. You’re a guidance counselor?”
> “Yep. I help our students navigate their future—which college to attend, which scholarships they might qualify for.” Frustration filled her expression and she looked away. “Or at least I try to. Most don’t have much interest in furthering their education beyond graduation. If they even graduate.”
“It sounds like what you’re doing is courageous then.”
She brought her surprised gaze back to his and seemed to question his honesty.
It was truly how he felt. He admired her passion. She obviously cared about her students.
What he wouldn’t have given for someone like Cassandra to help him see the importance of school. Someone to care about where he was going and where he’d end up. Instead, he’d bounced from foster home to foster home, a child of the state, barely attending school other than to eat a warm meal. Sometimes he didn’t even get that.
“Thank you,” she said, her proud smile making his stomach clench. A pretty pink color bloomed on her cheeks as she curled a thick patch of her brunette hair behind her ear. It made his fingers itch to repeat the motion. To feel the supple skin along the column of her neck.
He curled his hands into fists, reminding himself why he was here.
“It’s tough to stay motivated sometimes,” she went on. “Most of the kids don’t see their potential. It stems from growing up underprivileged with parents who are out of touch. A lot of our students are left to their own devices, thinking that life on the streets is all they’re good enough for. I want to show them that it doesn’t matter where they come from. What matters more are the choices they make.”
An easy curve lifted across his lips. His thoughts exactly.
“Damn,” Tyke said into Luke’s earpiece. “This one’s too good for you, Calder. She’s like Mother Teresa.”
As if he didn’t already think that.
He kept his smile in place, fighting the urge to grit his teeth. Tyke needled Luke a lot, not realizing how Luke’s upbringing affected him. How could he? Luke never mentioned it. From the outside, Luke looked like he had it all together. Nice clothes. Fancy car. Beautiful women. He’d gotten off the streets, joined the Army, and made something of himself. But the struggle he’d endured before all of that was what he’d rather forget. Completely.
In Walked Trouble (Under Covers) Page 7