Page 37 of Seduction in Spades

“Let me guess. You gave them a healthy dose of Trey Baxter charm and now they want payback.”

“And they’ve got eyes on Avery.”

“Fuck.” I swallow and use the reflection of the window to try to make out the body language of the thugs.

“I want her protected. I won’t let what happened to Nora and her friend—”

“It won’t. No one will touch Avery.”

“In all seriousness, man,” Ryder twirls the toothpick between his teeth pretending to be chill as well, “I’ll keep eyes on her as well.”

Nora almost died because of the Donohue crime boss. His temper tantrums, like his son’s, are usually taken out on innocent women. If he has eyes on Avery, she’ll never be safe and will always be a target.

“Nolan’s got her back—”

Ryder interrupts with a grin. “I’ve got her front.” He holds up his hands to ward off Trey’s anger. “Dude. I’m kidding. Trying to balance out your pissed off face so Donohue’s goons don’t realize we’re on to them.”

Ryder may be a pain in the ass, but he’s got a good heart. He won’t cross the line with Trey. But I have. If there was ever a sign that I need to end this between Avery and me, this is it.

A SEAL doesn’t get emotionally involved with his assignment. And I’m way too deep into this one.

“She can’t go back to her apartment.” Trey clenches his teeth. I’ve never seen Trey this serious, this focused. This scared.

“She’s not going to agree to be locked away in the penthouse. Especially with her job.”

Trey nods. “This is your expertise, Nolan. I trust you with my sister’s life.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

Trey looks over his shoulder at the bathroom door. “She can’t know. I don’t want her life turned upside down because of me.”

We all know this has nothing to do with Trey and everything to do with Donohue being a cowardly asshole crime lord.

“Nolan. I need you to install every security device you have in her apartment, but she can’t know.”

“I can do that tomorrow while she’s at work.”

“She’s not staying there unprotected. I need your eyes on her twenty-four-seven until we take care of Donohue.”

While my cock would love nothing more than to stay in her bed twenty-four-seven, I can’t exactly tell Trey that.

“How am I supposed to convince her she needs a bodyguard without letting on that something’s up?”

“You’re a SEAL. Figure it out.”

Stakeout. Not exactly what my cock wants, but Trey is right.

“I’ll tell her Drake needs Ryder and me back at the casino. Give me your keys.”

I don’t question Trey’s plan and hand him my keys, and he gives me the keys to his Harley. He’s right. I’m a SEAL. I’ll figure it out.

“If the douchebags don’t follow me out, make sure—”

“Trey.” I put a hand on his shoulder and squeeze. He’s not one for affection, but I can see he needs to calm down. “I promise I’ll keep your sister safe.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. What do you want to see next?” Avery comes out of the bathroom with a fresh coating of lip gloss.

There’s nothing more I want than to kiss it off her mouth, but her protection comes first.

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