Devil in the Details

by Morgan James

  Devil in the Details

  Quentin Security Series, Volume 2

  Morgan James

  Published by Morgan James, 2020.

  This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

  DEVIL IN THE DETAILS

  First edition. May 28, 2020.

  Copyright © 2020 Morgan James.

  ISBN: 978-1951447069

  Written by Morgan James.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Epilogue

  Devil in Disguise

  Also by Morgan James

  About the Author

  Find Morgan on Social Media

  Chapter One

  Lydia

  “Dirty, low-down, lying, cheating son of a...” I tossed the drink back and set the glass down on the sticky bar with a little more force than necessary. Okay, maybe a lot more than necessary. But I needed to take my aggression out on something. Here I sat, at my cousin’s bachelorette party of all things, only weeks after my own fiancé had walked out. This party should have been mine. Instead, I was now bridesmaid instead of the bride.

  With our pending nuptials less than a month away, Shawn had gotten cold feet—or so I thought—and run off. But not alone. Oh, no, that would have been far less complicated than the truth. He’d taken off with one of my best friends. Needless to say, that relationship of twenty-some years was dead now, too.

  Our breakup was really a blessing in disguise, though I hadn’t been able to admit it at the time. It had felt like a betrayal and, in truth, the rejection still stung. We’d both been under pressure to marry, from both my mother and Shawn’s father. I didn’t resent him for finding happiness; I did, however, begrudge the fact that he’d chosen to cheat on me instead of ending things amicably.

  Though he hadn’t admitted it, I even knew why he’d cheated on me. Every waking moment was spent in my bridal salon, trying to get it off the ground. I’d opened Something Blue only eight months ago and, while we were doing well so far, I still had a long way to go. Shawn had been extremely jealous of the shop, as if it were a living, breathing thing that took my time away from him. In a way, it kind of was. It was my baby, and I loved the salon far more than I’d loved Shawn.

  My mother, Jolene, met Shawn through the law firm where he worked. When she suggested I go out with him, it was easier for me to just agree than fight it. While my feelings for Shawn were only lukewarm at best, Jolene had been enamored of the charismatic young man on a fast track to be a lawyer at his father’s firm in Dallas. Shawn did all the right things, said all the right words. But something had always seemed... off. When he proposed after only a year, Jolene was thrilled. My friends loved him, and I began to question whether something was wrong with me. Despite my reservations, I accepted his offer.

  So here I was, eight months later, alone in a bar in godforsaken Las Vegas. The land of weddings and huge jackpots. I rolled my eyes. Maybe I could buy a groom. Someone tall, dark, and handsome with—

  “He was an asshole.”

  I startled, nearly falling off my stool as I whipped toward the deep, masculine voice. “I’m sorry?”

  My gaze swept over the equally sexy body attached to the voice as the man slid onto the stool beside me. Even seated, he was a head taller than me. Golden blond hair crowned his head, cropped close to his skull, and a day’s growth of whiskers adorned his square jaw. The sight sent a tingle of pleasure straight to my core. If there was one thing in this world I couldn’t resist, it was a man with sexy scruff. It got me every time.

  “The asshole you’ve been muttering about over here. Sounds like a dickhead.”

  I stared in open-mouthed fascination. Or horror. I wasn’t sure which. “You heard me?”

  The man chuckled. “Oh, darlin’, I heard ya. The lying, cheating fool.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I dropped my gaze to the bar. I could feel the man’s eyes sliding over me, but his voice was still a surprise when the rough drawl rumbled from his throat. “There’s just one thing I can’t figure out.”

  I looked up at him in question. Blue eyes met mine before sliding over my face, then lower. His intense perusal sent a tendril of heat curling through me, and my skin flushed. I reciprocated the gesture and looked him over. He was tall. Like tall-tall, probably a good six or seven inches taller than my own five-foot-seven frame and built like a Norse god. I allowed my gaze to roam the broad shoulders encased in a short-sleeved button-up shirt, the muscles of his biceps popping out under the sleeves. I dragged my eyes back up to his face. The pale blond of his hair enhanced his sharp cheekbones and straight nose, and his cerulean eyes drilled holes through me like he was staring into my soul. A strange feeling coursed through my body. I would have blamed it on the alcohol, but I wasn’t that drunk. Yet.

  He gave his head a slight shake, like he just couldn’t quite wrap his mind around whatever he was thinking. Finally, he spoke. “Why the hell would a man cheat on you?”

  “I guess I just couldn’t compete.” I shrugged, aiming for nonchalant. In truth, it hurt to even say the words aloud. “He ran off with my best friend.”

  The man’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in an ‘O’ of shock. “I... don’t even know what to say to that. Seriously?” He threw me a bewildered look, and I nodded solemnly. “I just... Jesus. The man obviously wasn’t right in the head to leave you, let alone betray you like that. Fucking hell.” He tossed back his drink and I smirked.

  “Well, that part was probably my fault. I didn’t love him as much as I should have.”

  The man studied me. “Doesn’t make it right, either way. You’re still better off without him.”

  “Oh, I know. It was more than just that.” I lifted one shoulder offhandedly. “I may have also mentioned something about him being a pretentious, self-absorbed, scum-sucking lawyer trust fund baby.”

  The man threw back his head on a shout of laughter. “Good for you.”

  “Yeah, well, it wasn’t much of a consolation.” I tossed back a shot of tequila.

  He nodded once. “What he did was low. But”—he shrugged—“it’s a good thing
you figured it out before you married the idiot.”

  I laughed. “Thank God. I’d rather marry some stranger off the street than spend one more single day with that selfish prick.”

  He gestured at the bartender to refill our drinks before turning his attention back to me. “You have no idea how glad I am I stopped in here tonight.” A smile split his face, showcasing a row of even white teeth. He held out a hand. “Alexander McLean. My friends call me Xander.”

  I slipped my palm into his. Immediately, the warmth of his touch enfolded me, and the feel of his rough callouses turned my cheeks crimson. “Lydia Dawson.”

  “My pleasure, Miss Dawson.”

  I heated under his gaze, his smooth, cultured words rolling over my body, practically caressing my skin. What was it about this guy? My fingers tingled where they lay in his, and awareness streamed through my body as if I were hyperaware of his every movement. He casually stroked the back of my hand with a thumb before releasing me and reaching for his whiskey.

  “So, that’s some getup, girl.”

  I glanced down and wrinkled my nose. “My cousin, Rose, is getting married. I was kind of obligated to come here for the bachelorette party.”

  “Would that happen to be Rose Norman?”

  I turned surprised eyes on him. “You know her?”

  Xander dipped his chin. “She’s marrying my friend Aaron.”

  “Small world.” I grinned. “Is that what brought you here, too?”

  “It is. Are you a bridesmaid?”

  “Yep.” I rolled my eyes. “I don’t even know why I’m here. We’ve never even been that close. I’m only here to round out the dozen attendants she needs.” I made a face. “Seriously, who does that? A dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen?”

  Xander’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “It’s a hell of a lot, that’s for sure. Thank God I’m not in the wedding.”

  My heart dipped, and I pushed the irrational pang of disappointment away. “You’re not?”

  He rolled the glass between his hands. “Nope. I ship back out of here in a couple days.”

  I digested that bit of information. “Are you in the military?”

  “Yep. So why aren’t you out with the girls?”

  I blinked at the abrupt change of subject. I’d learned from past experience that men generally loved to brag about themselves, especially hunky alpha males such as Xander. He’d thrown me for a loop twice tonight already, and he intrigued me on multiple levels. Turning my attention back to him, I jerked a thumb toward the Strip. “They hit up a gentleman’s club down the block. I decided I’ve seen enough penises this year.”

  A deep chuckle fell from his lips. “Sweetheart, that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

  A smile lifted the corners of my mouth. “Sad but true.”

  “Maybe you’ll change your mind.”

  Was that an invitation? I quirked a brow at him. “And what about you? Not hanging out with the guys?”

  His shoulders tensed the slightest bit. “I... don’t do well in loud, crowded spaces.”

  Right. Sympathy swelled in my chest and I glanced around the bar. “If you want to leave—”

  “No way.” He bumped his shoulder against mine. “I’m having a good time right here.”

  I dipped my head, heat blossoming across my cheeks at his compliment.

  “Anyway.” He seemed to struggle for something to say. “That’s quite a dress.”

  Back to that again? Admittedly, I’d drawn several sets of eyes when I walked in here, though probably not in a good way. I was pretty sure more than one guy thought I was for hire. I almost regretted not changing, but if this gorgeous man next to me wanted to discuss my chosen attire for the evening, I was game. I grinned cheekily. “You don’t like it?” Those gorgeous blue eyes followed my movement as I ran a hand over the tight bodice and ruffled skirt that flared around my thighs. “It’s ridiculous, but she wanted us all to match.”

  “It’s a little much.” Xander laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, darlin’, you’re killing that dress. I think every man noticed you the second you strolled through the door.”

  I blushed and covered my smile by taking a sip of my drink. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Good, I meant it as one. Lucky me, I beat them all over here.” His eyes bored into mine, and I squirmed under the scrutiny. The man exuded sex appeal, and my mind automatically strayed to steamy nights and rumpled sheets. He’d be a fantastic lover—strong, sure, and confident. He’d be able to pick me up with no trouble at all. I didn’t have much time to contemplate the thought as he spoke again. “I like you, Lydia. Tell me more about yourself.”

  “Well.” I bit my lip for a moment. “I own a bridal salon back home called Something Blue. It’s fairly new, so it takes up a lot of time. But I love it.”

  “Ah, a romantic.” He shot me a grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back.

  With a conciliatory shrug, I admitted it. “I love helping women find the dress of their dreams. It’s symbolic in a way, I think. The perfect dress is the beginning of a good marriage. As a woman, I know what makes me happy—what makes me feel good. I think the same should apply to a marriage. Communicating how you feel and never settling for less than what makes you happy.”

  Xander nodded appreciatively. “I can see that. So you were engaged to the lyin’, cheatin’ fool?”

  “Unfortunately.” I made a face. “He was more my mother’s type than mine. She seemed to think he was perfect for me.”

  “So why did you go along with it?” Those bright blue eyes drilled into me, and I nervously licked my lips. Clearing my throat, I shifted my gaze away from him.

  “I don’t know. I just... everyone kept saying how wonderful he was, and I thought maybe it was me that was wrong. He looked so perfect on paper, I had to be missing something. I kept waiting to feel more for him, but it just never happened. My mother told me I wasn’t trying hard enough, that I was being blind and stupid.”

  Xander lifted a brow. “I have a feeling that you’re a lot of things, Lydia.” His voice was low and gravelly, and the sound curled around my heart. “But stupid is most definitely not one of them.”

  “Well, Jessica obviously saw something in him that I didn’t.”

  “Yeah. The dick she was sucking,” Xander deadpanned. I couldn’t help the snort that rose up, and I covered my mouth with one hand to stifle my laughter. He grinned back at me, then the smile slipped away. “Seriously, though. You’re better off without him.”

  “I know.” It was true, and I felt no remorse as I made the admission.

  “I have a personal question for you, if you don’t mind.”

  “Um... okay?” My brows lifted the slightest bit at his serious tone, and unease skittered down my spine.

  Xander studied me. “I can understand why that would hurt you. But you don’t seem... heartbroken.”

  “I guess I’m not really,” I admitted. “I kind of knew deep down something was wrong. I just didn’t know it was... that,” I finished lamely.

  His eyes narrowed on me, and he picked up my hand. “You’re a smart, beautiful woman, Lydia. You said it yourself—you know deep down what you want. And it wasn’t him. Your mother said he was perfect for you. But what did you feel? Did you really think he was the right man?”

  “I...” I bit my lip. Was he right? Maybe in the back of my mind, I’d been hoping that, with enough time, Shawn and I could work things out. But in my heart of hearts, I had to admit—it wasn’t true. I didn’t love him. I swallowed hard and said what I’d never admitted out loud. “No.”

  “Well then, here’s to a fresh start.” He gestured to my glass, and I touched it to his. Xander’s arm muscles rippled as he lifted his glass to his lips, and I couldn’t tear my eyes from his neck as he swallowed the fiery liquid. Good Lord. He had muscles everywhere. Even his muscles had muscles. What would it be like to have those arms wrapped around me? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

  With
a sudden start, I realized I was staring. I snatched my gaze away, turning my focus instead to the shot glass in my hand. “To fresh starts.”

  Xander, I learned, was Texas born and bred, hence the sexy-as-sin drawl. He’d enlisted in the Army and had completed his training in special forces just a few years prior. He’d been deployed all over the globe on missions he couldn’t speak of, to places he never wanted to see again. But he was doing it for the greater good. His parents had both been big into charity and had died on a mission trip almost a decade earlier.

  “I figured going into the military was my way of giving back,” he said. “We help eliminate these terrorist cells that control people and take innocent lives.”

  I tossed back my third shot—or was it my fourth?—and laid a hand on his knee. “I think that’s fantastic. You’re a good man, Xander.”

  “You think so?” His gaze slid over me, and my body warmed from the inside out.

  I nodded. “You’re a total catch. Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

  “Yeah?” A sexy little grin tugged at the corners of his lips.

  Warning bells went off in my mind, but fuzzy from the alcohol, I tuned them out. “I deserve to let loose and have some fun, don’t I?” I stared at Xander and he looked back, his expression a mixture of amusement and concern.

  “Of course you do, darlin’. What did you have in mind?” He turned to face me, one foot planted on the floor, and extended a hand to help me off the tall barstool.

  I stepped down and moved into the vee of his legs. He watched me with an eagle eye, and his hands moved to my hips, gripping me tightly. “You all right there, beautiful?”

  I grinned up at him and he pulled me closer, lifting my arms to loop around his neck. “Perfect now.” I leaned my body into his and rose up on my toes, pressing my lips to his. He reciprocated, his lips soft and warm, the kiss demanding. I pulled back just enough to speak against his lips. “The night is young, cowboy. What do you say we get into some trouble?”

  Chapter Two

  Xander