Page 26 of Rising Storm

They went to a Mexican restaurant and settled into a booth across from each other. Once they placed their orders, Isaac sat back in his seat, a slow smile curling his lips. “You just got laid.”

He thought about denying it, but needed to talk. “Is it that obvious?”

“Your skin is all red, your lips puffy. Another thief? Taking a page out of Quincy’s book?”

“What can I say?”

“Say you know what you’re doing.”

“I don’t, okay?” Gareth ran his hand through his still-wet hair. “I have no idea what the Hell I’m doing.”

“You never went for hookups.”

“I know and I don’t really want that with Helix either, but he’s not in the same place I am.”

“How long has this been going on?”

Gareth felt heat fill his cheeks. “It’s new, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know what I want. For some reason, I like his grouchy ass. Between his tattoos and his attitude, he kind of reminds me of you.” He smiled at the server who set down their meals. Steam rose from his plate of tacos, rice and beans and he leaned over to inhale it. “Thanks,” he told the waiter, who smiled and walked off.

“I don’t know how to take that since you’re sleeping with the guy,” Isaac muttered as he picked up a flour tortilla and started piling on ingredients from his fajitas.

“Don’t worry. I’ve never wanted you that way.”

“Flattered.”

Gareth just snorted, knowing his friend wasn’t hurt in the least. Isaac did remind him of Helix in that they were both quiet and intense men with a love for tattoos. Isaac had a lot more—his body was half covered with ink. But Isaac dressed like he was working in an office. Even when he was doing nothing more than his computer work, his clothes were usually starched and pressed.

“So, what can you tell me about Barnette Kavaugh?” Gareth asked before taking a bite of refried beans.

“Why do you want to know?”

“You do the database and know he’s our current mark.”

“I can tell you that you need to be careful with Kavaugh. The FBI is snooping around him.”

“Well, shit.” That was probably what Shelli had hit when she’d mentioned the red flag.

“Yeah.”

“Well, all we’re doing is taking back one thing he stole, so it should be okay. Why do you think the feds are looking into him?”

“Embezzlement, from what I understand.”

“What else do you know about him?

“I know he has a hot, young husband he keeps tight reins on, but that isn’t going to help you.”

“Actually, that information does mean something to me now.” But he didn’t say what.

“The man is something else. He’s arrogant and controlling from what I understand, but the reason I know anything about him is he possibly has something to do with a couple of missing cops.”

“Seriously? Who?”

“Jake Mullins and Barry Sams.”

Gareth’s food turned into a lump in his stomach. “Jake Mullins is missing?”

Isaac eyed him closely. “Please don’t tell me he’s the guy you had hidden on the side.”

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