Page 64 of Enticing the Fixer

I frown. That would make sense. Jagger was in the military. Leo is working for a former SEAL. He’s a genius at computers, from programming to security operations. He has a military type of dog. No wonder he doesn’t talk about his past. I’ve been around enough former military personnel to know that the higher up in intelligence you go, the fewer details they’re allowed to give out to civilians.

“Sadie.” August hollers from the other end of the bar. “One of the cooks called in sick.”

“Perfect,” she sighs, and her shoulders drop. “So much for meeting your boyfriend’s brother and living happily ever after. I've got to woman the kitchen."

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s par for the course. When your family owns a bar, you get stuck running things. But it’s a great life. I get to see and work with my family every day.” Her eyes darken as concern, fear, and resignation war across her features. “Except for Zayden.”

While their father parted ways with the Raging Guardian’s MC years ago, his oldest son, Zayden, is still heavily involved in the organization. He’s the only one I haven’t met, but Ann has told me enough to know they’re scared someone will walk in one day and drop his vest on the bar top. I don’t bother to reassure her that everything is okay. No one really knows what’s going on with him.

The song piping through the speakers switches, and a few couples head to the dancefloor. It’s a weeknight, so there isn’t a band.

She straightens and slaps a smile on her face. “Hey, don’t mind me. Have a great night with your guy and order some appetizers on me.”

“You’re on.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders and give her a tight squeeze. She’s sweet but prickly so it’s unlike her not to shrug me off. Not many people get close to her. The only reason she hangs out with me is because Ann is her sister-in-law, and we’ve become friends by default.

Leo and his brother take two beers from August before he disappears to the next customer. Leo scans the room as if he’s searching for me, but he’s not looking in this direction. Why would he expect me to be standing behind the bar, next to the entrance to the back?

My phone buzzes. Please, don’t be another board member. I can’t take another hit today. I pull my cell phone out of my back pocket and swipe open the screen.Mark. Two times in one week?

“Hello?”

“Kinsley, I’m sorry to bother you. I know you’re a busy woman.” The controlled tone of his voice sends a chill along my spine. This is one of my dad’s closest friends if he wants to talk or reminisce. I have an obligation to listen.

“It’s fine. It’s lovely to hear from you again.”

“You’re such a sweet girl. You know your dad just doted on you. He couldn’t stop bragging about you at our weekly poker games.”

Tears sting my eyes as a ball of sorrow nearly chokes me. “Really?”

“Oh, yes, Dear. He was so proud of how hard you worked at the company and how eager you were to learn everything from the ground up.”

I close my eyes. Hearing him say it breaks past all the walls I’ve built to keep going like nothing has happened. But something did happen. My father is dead, and someone left him to die.

“I think we need to talk.”

All the air sucks out of my lungs, and I pop my eyes back open. The crowd around me swims as if I’m going under or about to faint. I suck down a gulp of air. “About?”

“Something you said the other day clicked. I brought it up during the poker game, and when we pieced together our stories, I think we have something you need to hear.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Leo

I lift the beer to my lips. “Do you think Truman knows who the perp is and isn’t telling us?”

“No.” Jagger taps his fingertips on the bar top. “I don’t think so. Clearly, he knows who his client is and has likely eliminated that person as a suspect, but I don’t think he knows more than we do.”

“Good.” I tip my head back and down half of the bottle of beer. After I swallow, I set it down with a clink. “Because I won’t risk Kinsley’s life to ensure we stay on this side of the law.”

“I get that.” He nods, and one corner of his mouth raises. “I’m still shocked that you’re here in Kansas City, and your balls have been tucked into your girl’s purse.”

“Fuck you. My balls are still intact.”

“Not when it comes to your girl.”

“You’re right.” I lift the bottle to have something to do with my hands. The cold condensation helps ground me in reality. “I think I’m in love with her.”

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