Page 7 of Marked for Obsession

“I’m a busy man, detectives.” Jax pushed himself to his feet. “If you’re looking for donations to the next FOP ball, I already gave.”

“Cut the crap, Jax.” Declan rolled his eyes. “We’re not here for a handout, and this isn’t a social call.”

He studied his brother’s familiar gaze closely. They both shared their mother’s dark brown swirls, but it was Dec who’d inherited the bitch’s almond-shaped eyes.

More than once, he’d found himself wondering if that was at least part of the reason why, until recently, the relationship between the two half-siblings had been less than amicable. Of course, it could also have something to do with the fact that their dopehead mother had chosen Declan over Jax.

Not that he was still bitter or anything.

Not Dec’s fault, dickhead. He was a kid back then. Just like you.

Truth be told, until about a year ago, Jax had been perfectly content resenting his younger brother. But after having worked a couple of cases together—the most recent one nearly costing Declan the love of his life—even Jax had to admit, the guy wasn’t quite the asshole he’d made him out to be.

Not that he was ready to admit that shit to Dec or anyone else.

“Well, then.” Jax stared back at his guests. “As far as I know, I haven’t broken any laws.”Not recently, anyway.“So there’s really no reason for you to be here.”

“Sarge says otherwise.”

His eyes slid to Grady’s. “Your sergeant thinks I’ve broken the law?”

“No, assmunch.” Declan stepped closer. “He sent us here to ask you about something that may have happened close to your club last night. Something that, I hope, doesn’t involve you.”

“Oh. Well, in that case…” Jax took a step back from the defensive. Walking around to the front of his desk, he leaned his ass against its edge and crossed his arms and ankles in a casual stance. “What can I do for you fine gentlemen?”

“We came to ask you about a woman.” This came from Grady.

Jax laughed. “What’s the matter, Thorne? Your mama forget to tell you all about the birds and the bees? It’s pretty simple, really. You see, when a man and a woman like each other very much, they—”

“God, you’re a dick,” Declan cut him off with a shake of his head. “Doesn’t that shit ever get old?”

Jax grinned. “Not even a little bit.”

With a muttered curse, his brother pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket and held it out in front of him. “This woman came into the station last night after being here in your club.”

Unfolding it, Jax damn near sucked in a breath because there, centered smack dab in the middle of the otherwise blank paper, was a black and white photocopy of a driver’s license. But not just any license…

It’s her.

His gaze immediately searched for her name. Penelope A. Campbell. According to the address printed on the license, she was from Atchison, Kansas.

Not a city girl.

For some reason, that only added to her unexplainable appeal.

“You know her?” Declan asked point-blank.

“Nope.” Jax shook his head. Committing the woman’s name and address to memory, he handed the paper back to the other man. “Should I?”

“Miss Campbell told the reporting officer that she was in town on a travel nurse contract with Denver Health, over on Bannock Street. Said she came to Sin last night to meet up with some friends from work.”

“Lots of people were here last night, Dec. Doesn’t mean I saw them all.” Jax thought of the picture again.

Definitely saw you, though. Didn’t I, darlin’?

He’d seen her. Wanted her.

Just. Like. That.

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