Page 21 of Sweet Temptation

“You’re lucky I can’t.” I wasn’t armed, though I had no idea if he was. I wouldn’t put it past him to have a weapon on him, or on his bike.

“Just checking out the balcony,” he said, closing the doors behind himself. “Fuckin’ creepy, he tried to come in here.” He glanced around the room, at Summer’s rumpled bed.

For some reason, that rubbed me wrong. I didn’t like him standing in her bedroom, even though he had as much reason to be here as I did. Brody called us both.

“So, you’re Brody’s guy?” he said, stealing the words I was just about to say. “The consultant.”

“He and Jude consult with me pretty regularly.”

“Yeah, I’ve worked events with your guys. They’re good.”

My guys were more than good, but I let that lukewarm compliment slide.

Maddox glanced around. “I’ve never been here before, but nothing really looks out of place or anything. No reason to think he was here earlier tonight, before she got home. She said she was at an event with Brody tonight. Then she came home, had some friends over. I checked the locks on all the doors, the window latches, and everything’s intact, nothing’s been tampered with.” He found me studying him again and added, “My brother owns a home security systems company. I work for him sometimes. Kinda second nature to check that shit.”

“What’s the name of his company?”

“Triple X.”

I knew of Triple X, through the industry. They had a solid reputation, despite the fact that they were run by a known member of the West Coast Kings.

“Plus,” Maddox added, “I’m not exactly a stranger to B and E’s myself. I mean, you know. Back in my young and irresponsible days.”

Right. Fucking predictable.

I wasn’t sure if I was annoyed or grateful that this was the member of Jude’s crew who’d shown up tonight. Maybe he’d prove useful, though, given his “expertise.” Maybe not.

“You live nearby?” I asked him.

“Nope. Was at my girlfriend’s place. She’s a few minutes away, down by the beach.”

“Good of you to come so fast.”

“Brody called me,” he said simply. “You know how it is.”

“I do.”

“If we’re finished feelin’ each other up, maybe we head back down, see what’s goin’ on?”

I held out my hand, like, After you, and once he’d cleared his ass out of Summer’s bedroom, I followed him back down to the kitchen. Brody was standing by the bar, talking to Summer. She was sitting on her barstool, gripping her mug of tea.

“Maddox.” Brody greeted the biker, shaking his hand. “I was just telling Summer that you’ll be back in the next few days with some guys from your brother’s company, to install an alarm system.” He gave Maddox a meaningful look, as Summer looked at him, unsure.

“Yup,” Maddox said. “Absolutely.”

“You really think that’s necessary?” Summer said, but she sounded weary. “I mean, the police responded so fast. He didn’t even get into the house.”

“Honestly, Summer, we probably should’ve dealt with this sooner,” Brody said. And I was glad to hear that he realized it. “I’m talking to Jude about this tomorrow. We’ll want enhanced security measures put in place, to protect you.” He glanced at me. “We’ll be discussing it with Ronan, too.”

More like security measures, period. The more I assessed this whole situation, the more it became clear they’d had no security on her until this point.

But I just nodded in agreement.

“Ronan advises us on these things all the time,” Brody went on. “He’s the best in the business.”

I appreciated the endorsement. I knew Brody also contracted guys from other security firms in town. But I was glad I’d been able to take the call tonight; if I hadn’t picked up, he probably would’ve had to call in someone else.

For some reason, I didn’t love that.

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