Sweet Hart

by Rae Marks

  Sam watched as Brayden stood in the hall and stared at his closed door. Normally he'd be completely turned off when someone pushed back as hard as Brayden had. He could respect it, sure, but to have it turn him on was disconcerting.

  Mase’s kid brother had made it seem brave. The desperation in those pretty blue eyes had Sam actually considering opening the door back up to comfort him…Brayden Hart.

  Shaking his head, Sam leaned over the computer and watched as Brayden finally turned toward the stairs. Bro had already made his way down the fire escape and was getting into the car he and Colt were driving.

  Leaving Brayden in Bro’s hands, Sam closed out of the security footage, shut his laptop and hid it in the cubby he’d built under the kitchen sink. Everything was in place for the deal today. Tomorrow he would head to Ukraine to make a deal that would put them on the right track.

  “They’re here,” Colt’s voice came through Sam’s earpiece. “Over and out.”

  Sam left his earpiece in, knowing it couldn’t be seen with the naked eye and couldn’t be heard unless Colt or Ax took themselves off mute and blasted music loud enough to burst Sam’s eardrums. Blowing out a quick breath, he walked away from the door so they’d hear him approach it when they knocked. It was showtime.

  * * * *

  Sam relaxed back into his seat as the pilot announced the final descent into Kiev. He gave a disgusted snort as he looked over at his traveling companion. Ax was fast asleep and had been almost since he’d buckled his seatbelt. If Sam hadn’t woken him up when the last flight had landed in Munich, Ax might have ended up in China.

  At home in Virginia it was still the middle of the night, but in Kiev, it was almost eight a.m. Sleep had eluded Sam on the flight from Miami. Every time he closed his eyes, he’d heard the entreaty in Brayden Hart’s voice. He kept seeing the plea in those bright blue eyes. ‘Life and death’, he’d said. Mase would want to know if his little brother was dying, so Sam had to find a way to tell him.

  Brayden showing up had Sam tempted to call this whole deal off. He had no idea how Brayden had found him or how he’d tied him to Mase, but the fact that he’d been able to had Sam going up his chain of command. Jazz Thibodeaux, his direct superior, had told him to go full speed ahead. The Kiev deal wasn’t really related to Miami.

  As his partner on this op, Sam had discussed with Ax the potential threat to their cover that was Mase’s little brother. Of course, Colt and Ax had teased Sam about being jealous and wanting to keep Bray for himself. Sam had rolled his eyes and prayed no one saw how fucking true that was.

  From what he’d been able to find out, the kid was almost twelve years younger than him. The last thing Brayden Hart wanted was an old asshole who had to be in control in order to let go at all. He didn’t want to deal with Sam’s issues. Sam didn’t even want to deal with his own issues. It was why he only had sex when he couldn’t hold out anymore. Plus, from what he knew of Mase’s family, the kid was probably straight as an arrow.

  Leaning his head back, Sam looked at the ceiling of the plane. He trusted Jazz, would trust him with his life, had trusted him with his life. But something felt off. He’d known Jazz for fourteen years, almost as long as he’d known Mase, but Jazz hadn’t seen the determination in Brayden’s eyes. That kid was trouble with a capital T, and not just because he’d distracted Sam for a minute. He was trouble because he’d walked into the situation yesterday totally blind to the dangers he might face.

  Luckily, Bro had followed him all the way to the airport and Brayden had caught a flight to DC. The fact that the link between him and Mase was so easy to find made Sam’s skin itch. Jazz had said he’d look into it, but Jazz had his own problems.

  Another French trafficker was putting out the word that Jazz was stepping on his toes. That shit was bound to happen. If anyone found out who Jazz really was…

  They needed to make sure their intel was secure, and as soon as he got back to the States, Sam would figure out how Mase’s little brother had found him. Until then, he’d have to rely on his team to look into it while he furthered their cause.

  As soon as he walked into the airport, Sam felt eyes on him. Figuring it was Oleksiy Kozak and Ruslan Andreiko’s men checking him out, Sam continued at a leisurely pace toward the baggage claim.

  “You feel it too?” Ax asked.

  The side of Sam’s mouth kicked up. Ax had good instincts. In the year he’d been on the team, Ax had proven to be a valuable asset and Sam hadn’t once regretted giving him the opportunity. Their team was still coming together, but they had a great foundation.

  “You don’t think it’s Kozak’s men?” Sam asked in low tones.

  Ax answered with the slightest shake of his head and that caused a crease to form between Sam’s eyebrows. With Mase’s little brother crashing their party in Miami, they would take every precaution.

  “I’ll get the luggage,” Sam said. “You get the car. We’ll see who they follow. Either way, we lose them.”

  “You’re the boss,” Ax said as he walked off toward the car rentals.

  Sam could still feel it. If two people were following them, they would have divided as well, so Sam couldn’t be sure if they were both still being followed until he met back up with Ax.

  After getting their supply bag, Sam took his time strapping his carry-on to the larger suitcase. He pretended to struggle as he covertly looked around for someone he’d consistently seen through the airport. He couldn’t pinpoint anyone, but he still knew he was being watched.

  Taking a chance, Sam pulled his luggage into the restroom. Keeping his eyes trained on the reflection of the door in the mirror, Sam went to the sink and washed his hands before heading back out into the airport. He slowly looked around and finally spotted someone. They guy was wearing a hoodie, so only the outline of his back was visible. His phone was in selfie mode. That wouldn’t be so strange, except the guy’s face wasn’t in frame—only the people behind him were. Feeling his phone buzz in his pocket, Sam pulled it out to look at the text from Ax.

  I’m clear. Got the car. Be at the curb in less than 2 minutes.

  Sam made his way in a wide circle around the guy to try to see him from the front. Just when Sam was about to glimpse his face, a girl approached the guy and he turned. Sam took advantage of the distraction and strode quickly out of the door.

  Ax already had the trunk popped open and was back in the driver’s seat. Sam tossed the suitcases in, closed the trunk and slipped into the back seat. Before the door was even latched, Ax was pulling away from the curb.

  “Did you lose him, or do you think he got our plates?” Ax asked as he pulled into traffic.

  “I lost one, but keep an eye out. He was talking to someone else, so not sure what was going on. I slipped out while he was distracted, but if there’s one—”

  “There could be more. Do you think he’s one of Kozak and Andreiko’s men?”

  “Not sure.”

  Sam was set to meet with Oleksiy Kozak and Ruslan Andreiko in a few hours’ time. They were high-level men in the Ukraine mafia and they dealt in both drugs and people. Sam had been working with the Kozak on the drugs side, but the people side of things was the ultimate goal.

  Sam looked up and met Ax’s eyes in the rearview mirror. Ax shook his head. They weren’t being followed.

  Chapter Three

  Brayden

  “Excuse, please,” a woman said as she patted Bray’s arm.

  Bray shook her off, but by the time he looked back to where Sam had been, he was gone. He turned in a circle as he tried to locate Sam again.

  “Excuse, please,” the woman said again.

  “Sorry. I’m waiting for someone.”

  Bray reached down to grab the handle of his carry-on, but his hand only grasped air. He turned in a circle again, this time looking for his suitcase. It was gone and so was the woman. Bray quickly patted his abdomen and blew out a relieved sigh when he felt his passport, wallet and extra cash in his money belt. Like a tru
e tourist, he turned his backpack around so he was wearing it over his chest.

  He was in over his head. He knew it, but he couldn’t give up. Admitting defeat, Bray unlocked his phone and dialed Max. When there was no answer, Bray left a message.

  “Sin, you were right. I need back-up and there’s no one I’d rather have at my back than you. I’ve already had my luggage stolen and I haven’t even left the airport, not to mention I lost my mark while my bag was being snatched. Please call me back.”

  Bray disconnected the call and headed toward the sign for car rentals. He couldn’t exactly follow Sam in a taxi. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d driven in a foreign country, but it was the first time he was in a foreign country without the US Army watching his six.

  He didn’t imagine himself naïve, but he hadn’t known how much back-up he’d need. Bray wasn’t a covert operator like Mase, but he’d have to manage on his own somehow.

  Since he’d lost Sam anyway, Bray walked into the bathroom to use the head. As he finished using the urinal, Bray zipped up his pants. Before he could turn to leave, his arm was twisted behind his back. Rather than fight, Bray simply sighed. This day couldn’t get much worse.

  “Your wallet,” the guy behind him whispered in his ear.

  To bring the point home, he poked Bray in the back with a knife. The thick hoodie he was wearing offered good protection, so Bray took a chance and threw back an elbow. The guy behind him grunted.

  There was a loud ripping sound as Bray swung around and flung out his arm to get the guy’s throat. His attacker dropped the knife and grabbed his neck, but another guy stepped toward Bray.

  Before the second man reached him, Bray kicked out with his leg and caught the guy in the chest. As the second attacker stumbled back to try to keep his balance, Bray followed, kicking again until the attacker landed on his ass.

  As he headed out of the door, the first guy jumped him from behind. Bray dropped all his weight and was trying to crouch down to throw the guy, but his backpack was in the way, so he only succeeded in getting the guy on top of him.

  A group of men entered the bathroom and tripped over the heap Bray had made of himself and the first attacker. Rolling to his side, he popped up into a crouch position with his fists ready, but everyone was still trying to get themselves straightened out. Bray slipped through the fray and headed back into the airport.

  Keeping an eye out behind him, Bray took out his phone and tried calling Max again. He reached under his backpack to make sure he hadn’t lost any of his valuables in the fight. If he had, he’d most likely keep walking unless his passport was gone.

  “Need help again already?” Max asked without even a ‘hello’.

  “Did you get my message?”

  “I haven’t checked my voicemail yet. Let me guess. You lost him.”

  “Lost Sam, lost my luggage, lost my dignity.”

  “Your dignity?”

  “Apparently I look like an easy mark. A couple of guys tried to mug me in the bathroom.”

  “If they got your luggage, maybe you are an easy mark.”

  “Thanks.” Bray rolled his eyes but still looked back to make sure he wasn’t being followed.

  “I figured this would happen. I’ll send you the hotel where he’s registered.”

  “You have zero faith in me,” Bray grumbled as he got in line at the car rental agency.

  “I have plenty of faith in you. You’re an eternal optimist. It’s what I like about you. You’re just not trained as an operator.”

  Bray didn’t argue, because Max was right and this ‘op’ proved it. It seemed like everyone was two steps ahead of him. He just had to do his best to get to Mase and to try to get Mase to agree to come home, even if it was just for a visit.

  “I also rented you a car. I’m texting you the confirmation number.”

  “Sin, you’re the best. I have a feeling I’m going to need more of your help over the next few days.”

  “I have no doubt. Just use the coins I gave you. It’ll make both our lives a lot easier.”

  “I will.”

  Bray reached down to feel his money belt again. The whole airport experience was making him paranoid, but he was relieved when he felt the two large coins Max had given him.

  It gave him a little security to have someone like Max in his corner, especially when it sped up the process of getting the car. Bray hadn’t lost too much time. Max had even been thoughtful enough to text him Sam’s room number.

  When Bray pulled up to the valet stand, he was hesitant to hand over his keys, but this wasn’t the type of hotel where someone parked their own car.

  Bray took off his ripped hoodie and stuffed it into his backpack as he walked into the hotel. When he looked up, he stumbled to a stop to avoid running into a group of men. They all turned to look at him and Bray saw they were talking to Sam. Sam's frown went from confused to fierce within a heartbeat.

  The man standing next to Sam leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Sam's nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed. It wasn’t that Bray was expecting a warm welcome, but he also hadn’t expected to literally run into him either.

  “Your boyfriend?” one of the guys in the group asked.

  Sam looked at the guy who’d spoken for a long moment before his gaze flicked back to Bray. He could see the moment Sam made a decision.

  “You got a problem with that, Sergiy?” Sam asked.

  Sergiy looked around at everyone in the group. He curled his lip in disgust, but he shook his head. Bray knew that a lot of people in Ukraine were homophobic. He hadn’t exactly planned to broadcast his sexuality, but if it tied him to Sam, he was game.

  Sam pushed through the group, grabbed Bray’s bicep and pulled him toward the elevator. Bray followed with only a glance over his shoulder. The guy who seemed to be with Sam closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead as if he were stressed, or maybe getting a headache.

  “Listen, kid. You’re in way over your head here. You have zero clue what the fuck you just waltzed into. I know what you want, but I can’t help you. The only thing I can do is keep your ass alive and the only way I can do that is if you fucking listen to what I say.”

  Bray tried not to swallow his tongue as he felt Sam’s warm breath caress his ear. He willed his dick not to respond. Now was not the time.

  Though he wouldn’t call himself a natural follower, the idea of being told what to do had never done it for Bray until now. Images flooded his brain as he pictured Sam doing just that. Sam telling him where to sit, how to move, when to come.

  Bray gave his head a little shake. He needed to focus.

  Chapter Four

  Sam

  “Don’t fucking shake your head at me,” Sam ground out. “These are not the kind of people you spring a plus-one on. I’ll do what I can to help you on all fronts, but you have to stay here and wait for me to come back. I have a meeting I can’t reschedule.”

  “Will he be there?”

  Sam closed his eyes and willed his temper to cool. He should have known it was Brayden following him at the airport. The kid was tenacious. Sam would normally respect him for that, but Brayden was going to get himself killed. Mase had always acted like he was dead to his family. The man before him, risking his life just to talk to Mase, proved that wasn’t the case.

  They’d lost Brayden at the airport, yet somehow he’d found them. Sam was going to find out exactly how he’d done it when he got back from his meeting. What kind of tricks did the kid have up his sleeve?

  He was also going to kick Ax’s ass. Sam was sure he hadn’t expected Sergiy to hear him teasing Sam about Brayden. Ax had a sense of humor as dark as his hair. The dude lived up to his call sign. Ax was loco. But this time he'd taken it too far.

  When Brayden had come bumbling into Sergiy’s band of goons, Ax had leaned in and said “Fuck. Looks like your boyfriend followed us.” Sergiy had sure picked up on that one word, ‘boyfriend’. It was no secret that Sergiy and a few of Kozak’s other lack
eys were homophobes, but Sam hadn’t given it much thought until now.

  Kozak and Andreiko knew he was gay, otherwise they would have offered him women at each visit. He couldn’t risk bribing one of Kozak and Andreiko’s women to keep his lack of erection a secret, so he’d elected to tell the truth about his sexuality.

  They seemed not to care as long as his money arrived on time. Sam wasn’t sure that was true of Sergiy. Now it was up to him to make sure things didn’t get FUBAR—fucked up beyond all recognition.

  Sam had been whispering in Brayden’s ear, because one never knew who was listening in a hotel lobby. He pulled back a little to look Brayden in the eye. Big mistake. Sam was immediately drawn in as he noticed tiny gold flecks highlighting the blue of his irises.

  Brayden licked his lips. And of course that had Sam’s gaze moving to his mouth. His grip tightened a little on Brayden’s arm as he pictured those lips stretched around his cock. Sam struggled not to jerk Brayden forward and taste his tongue as it flicked out.

  “Listen to me and listen good. Stay here. Go up to my room.” Sam passed Brayden his key.

  When Brayden took it, Sam reached up and grabbed his other bicep so Brayden couldn’t look anywhere but at him. The kid smelled good, almost sweet, like fresh-baked cookies or something. He couldn’t exactly put his finger on it, but he found himself taking deeper breaths to inhale the scent.

  When he looked over Brayden’s shoulder, Sam saw Sergiy muttering to himself. Ax leaned forward and said something to Sergiy that had him straightening his shoulders and shutting his mouth.

  Sam leaned in and whispered in Brayden’s ear, soft enough that he knew no one would hear. Brayden’s surprised little intake of breath had the hairs on the back of Sam’s neck standing on end.

  “There’s an extra gun taped under the desk in the office of my suite. I assume you know how it works. Keep it in your hand while I’m gone and don’t open the door to anyone but me. My room has a private elevator, so I’m not sure how you planned to get there, but we’ll discuss that when I get back. We’ll discuss a lot of things when I get back.”