Page 13 of Undercover Desires

My home is one of the few original houses left in this neighborhood, amidst all the fancy new apartments. It’s showing its age and is in a state of disrepair, but it’s mine—a precious inheritance from my nanna. I turn the key in the lock and head straight for my bedroom, where I collapse onto my bed in an exhausted heap, grateful for the sanctuary of my space.

Tonight was long, baffling, and unexpected, but I think I can do this. I have to if I want to keep my real job. All I need is for Kobe to stay out of my way. Otherwise, I’ll have a devilishly handsome, six-foot-four, muscular, charming, playboy-sized complication on my hands.

CHAPTER 5

KOBE

As Bella rushes intoher apartment building, I drive farther down the street and turn off my engine. Some of her actions tonight don’t sit right with me. The looks of uncertainty she flashed me. When I told her I was driving her home, I saw fear in her eyes. The address on her license matches the apartment complex, but I suspect she doesn’t live there. It couldn’t be if she’s taking a job with me. These places are upscale and worth more than she should be able to afford.

I stroll farther up to get a full view of her apartment complex and wait in the shadows. Just as I suspected, Bella emerges from the entry in a hurry and quickly disappears down a dark alleyway, glancing over her shoulder only once before she is enshrouded in shadows. I cross the street and pursue her, keeping a safe distance so she won’t spot me. She eventuallyarrives at an old, rundown house and slips inside, closing the door behind her.

This piques my curiosity. My new employee has just lied to me twice within ten minutes. Why didn’t she want me to know her proper address or that she didn’t have a car?

I make note of the street address for the house she entered and then head back to my Jeep. Once inside, I dial Caleb’s number. He’s been a friend for years, and he’s also one of the detectives down at the Palm Springs police station.

I’m about to hang up when he finally answers. “Kobe, what the fuck? It’s midnight. You know the rest of the world is asleep, right?” Caleb groans in frustration on the other end of the line.

“This couldn’t wait. I want info on a staff member who started tonight at Queen of Hearts,” I reply firmly, not giving two shits that I woke him up. We have an arrangement, and right now, he needs to hold up his end of the bargain.

He sighs heavily. I can see him running a hand over his buzz cut. I know I stress him the fuck out. “Send me what you have, and I’ll see what I can do.”

“Tonight,” I demand.

“Anything for you, Kobe. You know that,” Caleb says with a hint of sarcasm.

“I’ll make it worth your while,” I add, knowing I’m pushing my luck, but this can’t wait. She has me on edge, and I want to know why. Before we have a new situation on our hands.

Caleb chuckles. “Why are you so worried about some girl working at the club?”

“Because something doesn’t add up with her. Sweet little body, pretty face, sexy Australian accent. But I just dropped her home, and she gave me a fake address.”

He thinks for a second. “She probably doesn’t want your sleazy cock anywhere near her. Sounds smart to me.” He laughs at his own joke.

“It’s more than that. You know Leo’s on edge about making sure we know all the people around us after all the shit that’s gone down in the last twelve months.”

“Good point. I’ll check her out. Send me what you’ve got.”

I disconnect the call and quickly send Caleb her license number and the street address of the house I saw her enter. There is something else bothering me about her as well. Something about her eyes was familiar, but I can’t put my finger on where I have seen them before. She said she only just arrived here from Australia, so I know that can’t be possible. There is no way I have met her before, but she gives me this weird sense of nostalgia.

Returning to the club, I notice that the regular crowd has thinned out, signaling the end of the craziness for tonight. I find Xavier behind the bar cleaning and approach her. We don’t close until three, but with the rush over, it gives us time to catch up and get everything in order for tomorrow. “How did your new girl do tonight?” I ask, slipping behind the bar.

“Why don’t you tell me. You’re the one who couldn’t take your eyes off her all night,” she teases with a playful grin.

“Just making sure she had it all under control, that’s my job,” I respond, feeling defensive. What exactly is she implying?

“I thought that was my job,” she sasses. “Shelby’s pissed at you. Summer’s her best friend,” she adds, telling me I should be worried. Shelby can be a nightmare when she’s on the war path. It’s that fiery redhead in her.

“Didn’t know that. She should have warned her friend,” I say. I’m not going to feel guilty about it. “I never signed up for some fucking double date tonight, that was all Hazel’s doing. She thinks she can play matchmaker, but she’s not listening when I tell her I don’t want to date. I’m happy alone. She thinks she can fix me like the rest of them.” My therapist, my brothers, any other girl who has decided I’m a fixer-upper she can dig her nails into.

Xavier wraps an arm around me. “It’s okay, big guy, I’m on your side.”

“Glad someone is.” I hug her back.

“Got to say, though, I’ve never seen you so fascinated with a chick before. Not only that, but she couldn’t take her eyes off you.”

“Really?” I ask a little too quickly.

“Really.” She smirks sassily. She knows she’s got me.

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