Page 331 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

They’d remained fiercely loyal friends since fifth grade when Dominic had moved to a new school in the middle of the year and found himself seated in front of Isaac in homeroom. One day, they noticed a bully picking on a brainy girl who sat in the row next to them. The pimply kid had knocked the book she’d been reading off her desk. She’d flushed crimson with shame, obviously used to being picked on. Isaac replaced her book, smoothing the pages and glaring at the bully, while Dominic, big for his age and strong from working after school for his dad’s landscaping company, loomed over the tormenter. He muttered, “Do that again, and you’ll answer to us.”

The bully never bothered her after that, and Dominic and Isaac struck up an instant friendship, united by an unshakeable sense of justice and the instinctive need to protect the underdog. They’d been a dynamic duo ever since.

Fate had taken them down different roads along the way, but somehow, despite weaving in and out of each other’s lives, they always ended up on parallel paths. When Isaac learned Dominic had left the military police after years of devoted service, his friend had tapped him to join Soren Security as their first intelligence officer.

So far, his initial month with a personal security company had been more exhilarating than expected. Leveraging his military and investigative experience, he’d already worked alongside local authorities to solve a case involving a woman who’d turned to Soren Security for a bodyguard to keep her safe. Now her attacker was behind bars awaiting trial. So satisfying.

But judging by the troubled look on Isaac’s face, this wasn’t a random social call.

Dominic’s smile fell. “What’s going on?”

Dark eyes stormy, Isaac stopped inside the door. “Do you remember my cousin, Lara?”

Hearing her name, Dominic’s heart skipped a beat, before the corner of his mouth curved. As if I could forget her?

Instantly, his mind conjured the image of haunting green eyes, thick dark hair, and a simmering attraction he’d tried to ignore. Raging teenage hormones had led to a forbidden indulgence that Isaac knew nothing about. Dominic planned to keep it that way. They were kids back then—she’d been way too young for him at the time. But he sure as hell had never forgotten her.

The memory of her lips beneath his still haunted him, along with his body’s response to her innocent explorations. Their incredible chemistry—an attraction that deep down he’d never stopped craving—remained undeniable.

A secret part of him had always clung to the memories, harboring a more than slight curiosity—wondering if she’d been the one who got away…

“What about her?” Dominic asked, his face a stoic mask.

Flustered, Isaac ran a hand through his hair. “Listen, I wouldn’t normally drag you into family drama. I know this company has better uses for your talents.”

“But?”

“Lara called me five minutes ago from an unfamiliar number. She needs help, and?—”

“Where is she?” Dominic shot to his feet.

“I think she’s standing in the bathroom of a cell phone store in Springfield, Colorado, forty minutes away. In hushed tones, she mentioned a car bomb exploding. She believes she’s being targeted by a killer. Man, she’s terrified.” Isaac’s face tightened, and his hands clenched. “I can’t leave her stranded like that.”

“Hell, no. And neither will I.” Dominic slapped his laptop shut and shoved it into his bag. His thoughts flashed like lightning strikes. His brain tracked each burst of an idea and followed up on every scenario. “I’ll go to her. But if she’s in danger, if someone’s targeting her, I’ll need surveillance gear. What have you got in storage?”

Isaac led him to the equipment room in the basement of their headquarters. “Supposedly, these are all leftovers from the previous owner of the company, Logan Stone. He was heavily into the technology side of security. I have no idea what’s in here. To my knowledge, no one has needed to use it.”

“I’ll figure it out.” Dominic quickly raked through the options available, collecting what might be useful. “Do you have an extra bag?”

Isaac nodded. “My duffel bag is in my gym locker. I’ll grab it.”

“We don’t have time.”

“There’s a gym right here in the basement of the building. The impressive gym was the first upgrade the new owners made four years ago. Be right back.” Isaac quickly returned and handed him a sturdy black duffel. “Got what you need?”

“It’ll work for now, until I know the full situation.” Dominic zipped the bag over its contents and reached for his phone. “What’s her number?”

“This is the last number she called from,” Isaac said, holding out his cell.

Dominic dialed the number. “Hello,” a male voice said.

“Put Lara on the line.”

Brief static and muffled tones.

“H-hello?”

“Lara, it’s Dominic Aiello. I’m heading your way. Hang tight.”

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