Rescue Me

by Kira Sinclair

  Her mouth opened and closed. Words she wanted to say—needed to say—froze in her throat.

  Frustrated, Finn spun away. His fist punched through the wall, leaving a gaping hole. It should have bothered Tucker. It did. But not nearly as much as the sheen of barely checked emotion he was fighting to control.

  Finn’s display of temper scared her, although probably not the way it should have. She didn’t worry about him turning those fists in her direction. Even after only a couple of days she knew him well enough to realize he’d never strike a woman in anger. Nope, it was the overwhelming urge to soothe him that was really dangerous.

  He walked around with such confidence and swagger, refusing to apologize for who he was or what he thought. He asked no one for permission or absolution, and that was something she could respect. Even if it drove her batty on occasion. Because she approached life the same way.

  Take her or leave her, she wasn’t about to change who she was for anyone, let alone a man.

  But this...that glimpse of his vulnerability and pain cut straight through to the heart of her. That hole he’d just punched had breached more than the wall. It had busted through just about all of her defenses.

  Although that didn’t stop her from being angry with him.

  “Are you done? Ready to listen to me now?”

  Finn glared, shaking his hand even as he didn’t seem to want to admit it hurt. “I don’t know. Are you going to spout off a bunch of lies?”

  “No, but you have no reason to believe me. Because I stupidly didn’t tell you at the time, but I actually found those drugs in the bathroom Friday night.”

  Finn’s gaze narrowed.

  “Stuffed behind one of the fancy towel holders I have on the counter. I was trying to decide what to do with it when Wyatt called for me. I jammed the baggie into my pocket and ran out. In the melee, I honestly forgot all about it until later.”

  “Me finding them on the floor didn’t jog your memory?”

  “No. I had no reason to think the bag I’d found had fallen out. Besides, I’d just gotten my bell rung. My jaw and head were aching. My ankle was throbbing. I wasn’t exactly thinking clearly.”

  The muscle at the edge of his jaw ticked for several interminable seconds before he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me all this on Saturday?”

  “Because I was pissed at you for maneuvering yourself into my life and my bar. I didn’t want you here, Finn. And I didn’t think you’d believe me at that point if I tried to tell you the truth.”

  “You didn’t give me a chance to believe you. And now, I’m not sure I can.”

  Tucker shrugged. What else could she do? She’d given him the truth and the rest was his decision.

  “You can have the video footage I didn’t include in the DVD I gave to Dade and Simmons.”

  “Jesus, Tucker,” Finn groaned, rubbing his hands over his face. “Withholding evidence like that just makes you look even more guilty.”

  He wasn’t wrong, but there was nothing she could do about it now.

  “The footage shows the drugs falling out of my pocket during the fight, Finn. What was I supposed to do? I don’t have cameras in the restroom so there’s no evidence proving I found them there. I can show you the tape where I dashed out of the ladies’, but that’s all I’ve got to back up the story I just told you.”

  Finn sagged against the wall, letting his body bow inward, running his fingers through his dark brown hair.

  “You realize Dade and Simmons are working to build a case against you now.”

  “They’re going to waste their time and miss the real dealer.”

  She wanted to ask if he believed her, but checked herself just in time. Maybe she didn’t really want to know the answer to that right now.

  “Well, one thing is for sure. If you’re not involved—” he cut her a glance that clearly conveyed exactly what she’d feared, that he wasn’t convinced “—then one of your waitresses most likely is.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You said the drugs were stuffed behind a paper towel holder. No random patron dealing at the bar would leave their stash like that. They’d keep it on them so they could sell more easily. But someone working, that’s another story. Maybe she’s afraid you, Wyatt or one of the bouncers might catch her with it. She’s familiar enough with the building and possible hiding places. She knows where the surveillance cameras are so she can avoid them. Maybe she sells to women in the restroom and men somewhere else.”

  “Why does it have to be a woman?”

  “Because that’s the one thing my informant is certain of. And because you claim you found the drugs in the women’s restroom.”

  Tucker sighed and dropped her chin to her chest. This whole situation weighed on her. She was so tired, but she didn’t have the luxury of giving into the exhaustion.

  This was what she’d been afraid of for the past two days. That restless sense of doom that had been lurking in the back of her brain ever since Finn had walked into her bar with two officers in tow.

  Last night had spooked her. She’d already called a friend—a PI who was going to loan her a couple of hidden cameras to set up in some of the areas where she didn’t already have surveillance.

  In the meantime, maybe she should let Finn question everyone. Being impartial, he’d probably get further than she would. But then, whoever was behind this would know they were on to them.

  “Maybe,” she agreed reluctantly.

  Shaking his head, Finn pushed away from the wall. “I’m going to figure out who’s responsible for bringing these drugs into your bar. And I’m going to stop them. No matter what.”

  He paused for several seconds, those green eyes scoring straight into her, leaving her breathless. “Even if that person is you.”

  * * *

  GOD, HE DIDN’T know what to think. Was he being swayed by his attraction for her? His driving need to have and hold her? His desire to discover all the tiny pieces that she worked so hard to keep to herself?

  Maybe.

  Probably.

  But he wasn’t sure that made her guilty.

  What bothered him most was that his indecisiveness was unnatural, but didn’t seem to affect the way he wanted her at all.

  He’d spent years fighting the war on drugs. It was his passion in life. If he prevented even one person from dying as Bethany had then it was all worthwhile.

  But that mentality came with a clear-cut idea of who the enemy was.

  If Tucker was involved, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to see her as the enemy. He was already making excuses and rationalizations in his head. Because he believed her when she said she didn’t want drugs at her bar. Maybe she’d been coerced? Maybe somehow gotten involved with the wrong people and couldn’t find her way out?

  He wanted there to be an explanation. And that could be a problem. Because if she was involved it was more likely because she wanted the money—and that would mean she wasn’t the woman he thought she was.

  For the moment, Finn had decided to believe her. Or at least to keep a muzzle over the tiny voice in the back of his head that kept saying he was being an idiot.

  The best thing for him to do was continue on the path they’d started. Eventually, he’d either be proven right or wrong. But the uncomfortable churning in his belly that wouldn’t quit was going to be hell to live with in the meantime.

  If he’d expected a Sunday night to be the slow part of the weekend, he was wrong. The crowd was a little different, more older couples than searching singles, but the place was still packed, with at least twenty TVs blasting different options from sports to that show about zombies everyone seemed enamored with.

  The stage was quiet and the music piped in from the speakers a little lower. Lights didn’t flash incessantly over the dance floor
, but were a constant muted play of shadow and light. The bull sat silent off to the side, getting a rest of his own.

  Finn was impressed that Tucker managed to completely change the feel of the bar based on the clientele that came in. That was a brilliant marketing strategy. Adaptability was one reason she’d found success.

  But maybe that was also how she’d gotten involved with meth dealers. Assuming she had. Dammit. Nope, he wasn’t going to question this anymore tonight.

  Finn slid onto his favorite stool. Duchess plopped down onto the floor at his feet. Her every watchful gaze swept across the room, but she didn’t twitch.

  Monique was behind the bar tonight. He flashed her a smile and ordered a beer when she got close. She moved efficiently, pouring his drink while taking another order and chatting up a couple.

  Finn could see why Tucker kept her around. She was fast and efficient. Friendly, but still managing to give off a don’t mess with me vibe that no doubt came in handy when things got rowdy.

  She delivered his beer, plopping the glass down in front of him. “Thanks,” he said, trying to pass her a twenty. She just waved him away.

  “Tucker said not to take your money.”

  Glancing around, Finn tried to find Tucker’s cloud of blond hair in the crowd, but couldn’t. “Where is she?”

  “In the back, talking to one of our suppliers.”

  “On a Sunday?”

  She shrugged. “We had a major problem with our shipment yesterday. She called and reamed him a new one. He dropped everything to hightail it over and smooth her ruffled feathers.”

  She hadn’t said anything to him about a screwed-up delivery. Although, would she? No matter that it felt like they’d known each other forever, their whirlwind relationship had only been going for a few days.

  The problem was, he wanted her to. He wanted to be the person she complained to when things went wrong. Her release valve and her sounding board. He wanted to share in her triumphs and the little irritations.

  He wanted everything from her.

  But right now, he wasn’t willing to give her the same. Because he couldn’t. There was a piece of him that just...didn’t know. Couldn’t quite trust.

  Pushing up from the stool, Finn left his beer sitting on the bar. “Don’t let anyone spike that, would you?” he asked as he walked away.

  Monique chuckled, but grabbed his beer and put it behind the bar.

  Weaving through the crowd, he nodded to Matt, one of Tucker’s bouncers, from across the room and pointed to the back. He hadn’t seen Wyatt since their staff meeting earlier in the day. Maybe it was the guy’s night off? Matt returned the nod and waved him through.

  Duchess was beside him, right on his hip. This morning he might have promised Tucker that the dog wouldn’t go into the back of the bar, but considering the fingerprints they’d discovered today, he was reneging on the agreement.

  And didn’t feel a single twinge of remorse.

  The noise might be muted tonight, but the Rose was still a bar. He much preferred the dark quiet he always found behind the scenes. It was definitely more his speed. Cooler without all the people.

  Finn stopped just outside Tucker’s office. The door was open an inch or two, so he didn’t bother to knock before pushing it in. But a quick sweep of the small space told him the room was empty. Not that he’d necessarily needed to see. He could feel she wasn’t there.

  With a frown tugging at his lips, Finn systematically checked each of the rooms on his way down the hall. The large area where she kept the liquor stocked. A small storeroom for other supplies. The kitchen where everything was dark because they’d stopped serving food an hour ago.

  At the end of the hallway the only door he had left was the one that led out to the back parking lot. It was propped open, which wasn’t necessarily unusual. The door had an automatic lock for security reasons, but a couple of Tucker’s employees liked to go outside to smoke on their breaks.

  The door creaked as he pushed it open, the sound loud in the silent night.

  A single light shone over the door, casting a wide circle of yellow onto the dark pavement. The night was chilly, but he didn’t care.

  Stepping out of the light, Finn set his hand atop Duchess’s head and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.

  And spotted her almost immediately.

  Moonlight rained down over her blond hair, turning it silvery pale. She was facing away from the door with her head tipped back and her arms crossed over her chest.

  At first he thought she was staring up at the sky, until he realized her eyes were closed.

  Finn started to take a step forward, but motion off to his right stalled him. He turned just in time to catch a man weaving through the cars at the edge of the parking lot that all the employees used.

  An engine revved. Headlights beamed on, cutting through the darkness and illuminating the man for a split second before he slipped inside the car.

  Finn only caught a glimpse, but it was long enough for him to recognize the man as one of the lieutenants of a local drug kingpin.

  There was no good reason for him to be at the Rose. With Tucker outside.

  Swallowing hard, Finn let his gaze swing back to Tucker. A heavy band constricted his chest. He didn’t want to ask the question, but he had to.

  Finn closed the distance between them. “What are you doing out here?”

  He kept his voice quiet, in deference to the stillness around them. But he half expected Tucker to startle anyway. She didn’t. Instead, she turned her head to him, the ghost of her normally bright smile playing across her lips.

  She looked tired.

  “I walked one of our distributors out and stayed for a few minutes because I needed a sanity break. It’s been a long couple of days.”

  Yeah, he bet. The only distributor Finn had seen leaving was a drug dealer who was most likely looking for reparation on the product that had been lost.

  Dammit. What was wrong with him that he wanted to believe that, if she was up to her eyeballs in this mess, her involvement was involuntary?

  Cupping her face in both of his hands, Finn turned her so that she couldn’t avoid looking straight at him. He searched her eyes, looking for some sign of guilt or subterfuge. Something that would make this a hell of a lot easier than it was right now.

  The clear, steady gaze staring back at him only made things more confusing. She didn’t look like she was hiding anything. Was he jumping to conclusions here? He hadn’t actually seen the guy anywhere near her. He could just as easily have been here to see someone else—the real dealer.

  But he had to ask. “You know I’m here for you, right? Let me help you.”

  Tucker reached for him, wrapping her fingers around his wrists. At first he wasn’t sure if she was holding onto him or about to push him away. Maybe she didn’t know, either. But she did neither. She simply stood in his hold.

  “I’m fine. Tired and irritated. This isn’t the first problem we’ve had with this distributor, but at least he got his butt in gear and is fixing the error. I’ll have what I need by tomorrow afternoon. Although that means on the one day a week I have off I’ll have to come here to meet the delivery truck.”

  Her grip on him tightened and a self-deprecating laugh rolled through her chest. “Who am I kidding? I’d have been here on my day off anyway. I’ve been here every day since I opened the place.”

  Staring up at him, her deep blue eyes glittered in the moonlight. “I didn’t realize just how lonely and predictable my life had become until you barreled into it, you know? I’m always here because the Rose is all I have. And I’m not sure how to change that. If I want to change that. But you’re the first person in a long time that’s even got me questioning the status quo.”

  Sonofabitch. Her words punched straight throu
gh his gut. Because he wanted that. He wanted her. He stared into her gaze, clear and open. Honest.

  He felt like he was being torn in two. But right now, despite everything, the side that wanted her was winning over the tiny voice in his brain telling him to proceed with caution. Was that stupidity or instinct? He’d been around long enough to know to trust his gut. And something inside him wanted to believe her.

  Dipping down, Finn pressed his mouth to hers. The kiss was nothing like what he’d become used to with her—hot and incendiary. It was easy and soft. Soothing, although the burn of need was still there. It was simply muted, banked.

  She clung to him in a way that made him want to scoop her up, press her against his chest and protect her from every damn thing in this world that could hurt her—including herself.

  It was obvious she’d been hurt before. By people who were supposed to matter. By people she was supposed to trust.

  He didn’t want to be another in a long line to disappoint her. But he didn’t want to find himself in that situation, either.

  The push and pull was killing him, and tonight there was no hope for a solution.

  11

  IT WAS LATE, and she was numb with fatigue. Yet Tucker’s body buzzed with an energy she couldn’t suppress. It had been there since Finn had found her outside and they’d shared that kiss.

  He hadn’t taken it further, even though she’d wanted him to. He’d brushed his mouth over hers, tasting, savoring, softly tempting. And then he’d set her away from him, killing the moment by pointing her at the door, swatting her ass and telling her to get inside and finish up so they could go home.

  She should have been irritated. But she wasn’t. Because being irritated over something so silly seemed a pointless waste of time. He was being playful.

  By the end of the night, Tucker was dragging. That wasn’t unusual for a Sunday. But she really needed that Monday off to recover. And while she usually spent some of the day working anyway, it wasn’t the same hectic pace or late night hours.

  Once again, Finn waited patiently while she closed up the bar and then ushered her out to his Jeep.