Bare It All

chapter TWENTY-TWO

ALICE WOKE THE next morning in the usual way—or at least the way that had become usual now that she had Reese and Cash in her life. Reese spooned her from behind, one brawny arm over her waist, and even in sleep, his hand curled around her breast.

She loved his hands so much. Big and strong and so incredibly capable, whether he cooked, brushed Cash, or drove her insane with sensual need.

Cash rested at the foot of the bed, his head over her ankles.

She could hear both man and dog breathing heavily in their sleep, and a softball-sized lump of emotion lodged in her throat.

She loved them both so much. But last night she’d blown it. She’d gotten so caught up in the incredible pleasure of sex with Reese that she hadn’t uncovered his feelings about her. She hadn’t discovered if he was in it for the long haul, if his heart had gotten as involved as hers.

Sure, some of the things he’d said were nice. Better than nice. But they didn’t give her a clue about a future together.

Swallowing down her worry, Alice put her hand over his, marveling at the size of his wrist, his fingers. She touched him gently, tracing along the seam of his middle and index finger—and suddenly felt the rise of his interest against her rear end.

She turned her head toward him. “You’re awake?”

“Mmm.” His hand contracted carefully, caressing her. “Awake and wondering what you’re thinking.”

Cash grumbled, snuffled away from her feet and stretched out again with a lazy sigh.

Alice turned to face Reese. He adjusted, moving his hand around her to her backside, pulling her half up onto his chest as he went to his back and stretched out his free arm.

Toying with his chest hair—another thing she loved about him—Alice said, “I was thinking how nice your hands are.”

“Mmm.” He traced the shape of one cheek, teasing her. “How nice my hands are when they’re on you?”

“I do love that.” Levering up to his chest, Alice gave him a long, serious look. “And I love waking up with you in the morning.”

He brought her down for a kiss. “I’m fond of that myself.”

“Before you, before this, I couldn’t imagine myself being this comfortable. I haven’t brushed my teeth, and I have to pee, and I know my hair is a mess.”

Reese grinned like a rascal. “Ditto on all the above.”

She smoothed down his short blond hair, now sticking up at odd angles. Her hand automatically went to his jaw, to the beard shadow that rasped against her fingers. “You are so natural about everything that when I’m with you, it feels...okay.”

He put both hands on her butt. “It?”

Life, love, the entire world. Alice sighed. “Everything, I guess.”

“You feel safe with me.”

Very safe. Even if he didn’t love her, she knew Reese would never purposely hurt her, and that he’d do everything in his power to protect her. “Yes.”

“I’m glad, but Alice, I don’t want you to get too comfortable.”

Her heart stuttered. “With you?”

Scowling, Reese did a sudden turn, and Alice found herself under him.

He put his mouth to hers for a quick, whiskery kiss. “With me, I always want you comfortable. Always. Do you understand?”

She didn’t, not really, but she said, “I think so.”

Still looking far too grim, he searched her gaze. “You need to continue being cautious, Alice. There are dangerous people out there—”

“There always are.”

“—who want to do you harm,” he stressed, overriding her objection. “You have to understand the reality of what you did. By interfering with—”

“Rescuing.”

“—Cheryl, you drew their attention. They could be looking for you right now. Until they’re caught and their operation is shut down, you’re in danger.”

Today, she would not get distracted. Today, she would find the answers she needed.

Alice cupped his face. “Please, tell me, Reese. Does all this concern mean that you—”

A cell phone rang.

With a look of confusion, Reese turned his head toward the sound. “What is that?”

Like a dash of ice water, the sound of that particular ring froze Alice for a few seconds. Then she pushed at Reese’s shoulders. “Move. It’s my phone.”

“Your phone?” He gave her enough space to wriggle out from under him. “It doesn’t sound like—”

“My other phone.” Worried that she’d miss the call, Alice stretched from the bed until she got the nightstand drawer open. On the fourth ring she finally snatched up the cell. She was very aware of Reese going quiet beside her. “Hello?”

“Alice? It’s Cheryl. Y-you said I could call.”

Dread made her light-headed. Alice scrambled to sit up against the headboard, her breath stuck in her throat, her stomach cramping.

Beside her, Reese came alert. “What is it?”

She put a finger to her lips, cautioning him to be quiet. “Cheryl,” she said aloud, so Reese would know. “Is everything okay?”

Cheryl started to cry—and stammer. “Y-yes. Everything is...”

With her free hand to her mouth, Alice held her breath.

“...just p-peachy.”

Oh, God. Alice could hear her own heartbeat in her ears. “I see.” She didn’t dare look at Reese. If she did, she’d lose her concentration—and her nerve. “Then I’m glad you called.”

Cheryl gasped for air. “I’d love to—to see you.”

Think, Alice. Don’t waste precious time. Just react. She nodded to herself. “Are you back in the area?”

“I can b-be. Tonight?”

Alice chewed her bottom lip. “Does it have to be tonight?”

“I don’t know.”

Cheryl would surely prefer it be sooner rather than later, but rushing into this wouldn’t save her.

It would only put others at risk.

Reese sat up beside her, not touching her, but close enough to let her feel his concern.

“If it could wait until tomorrow evening, that would work for me.” And it would give Reese time to come up with a plan. Please, God, let him have a plan.

Reese stayed silent beside her, listening, waiting.

Trusting her.

“What do you say, Cheryl? Tomorrow evening?”

“I don’t... Let me check my...my schedule.” Cheryl breathed heavily, then it sounded as if she muffled the phone. Finally, when Alice feared she wouldn’t come back, Cheryl said on a sob, “I’ll call you back.”

“No! Cheryl wait—” The call ended, and the silence seemed louder than a scream. Alice started shaking. “Oh, no. Oh, no, no.”

Reese took the phone from her hand, put it to his ear then closed it. “It was Cheryl?”

Numb, afraid that she’d just left Cheryl to a god-awful fate, she nodded.

“What did she say?”

Alice bit her lip. Obviously Hickson, or whoever had Cheryl, wanted to get to her, too. Why else would they have Cheryl call?

Maybe they’d only promised to have her call back to give them time to think through a plan. Perhaps to avoid having the call traced.

Could you trace a cell phone call? She didn’t know.

Please, please, she thought, let her bluff for more time be enough to keep Cheryl safe.

Reese caught her shoulders, turning her toward him. He’d shifted into cop mode. She saw it in his eyes, in the way he held himself even while naked in bed. “Alice? I need you to tell me everything. Right now.”

Dreading his reaction, she nodded. “About that tattoo business...I hate to say you were right....”

“Tell me.”

“I could be in trouble after all.”

* * *

ROWDY STOOD OUTSIDE a tattoo parlor, waiting as the morning fog dissipated. Oppressive heat already wafted from the blacktop. By noon the humidity would feel like a sauna.

Last night, he’d signed the final papers on the bar. It was his. He’d take ownership in a few more days. The current owner only needed a little time to clear out.

Owning property wasn’t new to him. He’d bought the apartment building his sister had used while hiding from murderers.

But that was for cover.

This would be his livelihood. A legit occupation. Roots. Stability. An honest living.

A fresh start.

Exhilarating and terrifying—he couldn’t wait to get started. He hadn’t yet told Dougie, the bartender, that he’d be replaced. He didn’t want anyone sabotaging things before he was settled in and supervising. And he didn’t want anyone giving Avery a hard time.

Avery. Every damn time he thought of her, he breathed harder. How f*cked up was that? He wanted her, sure. She was hot in a “play it cool” way. But he didn’t breathe hard over the thought of a woman. Ever.

At least, he hadn’t until Avery Mullins.

Now that he officially owned the place, would it be unethical to sleep with her? Not that she’d agreed, anyway.

Yet.

And not that he got all that hyped up over ethics. But he also didn’t want to do anything to cause problems at his own establishment.

Hands in his pockets, his head down but his eyes up, Rowdy strolled to a lamppost and took in the surrounding area. A light shone inside the tattoo parlor even though it wouldn’t open for hours. Interesting.

The other nearby establishments—cigarette shop, cash advance, alterations and a novelty store—remained locked up, dark inside and out.

He didn’t see a car near the tattoo place, but then maybe, like him, whoever was inside had parked down the street, out of sight.

Another light came on, this one in a back room. Rowdy badly wanted to go in, to check out things on his own. It’d be a piece of a cake. Locked doors rarely slowed him down. He could be in and out with no one the wiser.

But Reese had been clear about shit like that, and on the off chance he had the right place, he didn’t want to dick up any of the legalities.

There weren’t many cops he trusted, even fewer he’d assist. But Reese and Logan were different.

Good thing, since Logan would soon be his brother-in-law. He was starting to get used to that idea. Now, when he thought about it, it didn’t make his stomach roil or send ice down his spine.

He even enjoyed working with them. Having been a street rat most of his life, Rowdy blended in more easily than cops did. Using stealth for a reason other than mere survival made it somehow less caustic and more meaningful.

A few minutes later, a drunk staggered out of an alley and went to the liquor store. When he tried the door and it didn’t open, he dropped to sit on the front stoop. Half a minute later, he appeared to pass out, slumped against the door.

Shortly after that, two women parked in an alley near the alteration shop. They left the car but stood outside talking a moment. One smoked while the other laughed about a story.

Loitering, smiling at the women when they looked him over, Rowdy again surveyed the tattoo parlor. So far he’d checked on five in the area.

For reasons he couldn’t pinpoint, this one felt right.

And then...bingo. A man came out, and damned if he didn’t look like one of the men who’d shown up in that shitty little hotel shortly after Alice had vacated it.

Rowdy waited to see where the man would go—and he sensed someone approaching from his left.

He turned—and instead of a direct threat, he found a woman standing there, probably in her mid-twenties, light brown, shoulder-length hair, big blue eyes.

Doing what came naturally, Rowdy checked her out.

She looked killer in super-short shorts and high-heeled strappy sandals, with a skimpy halter that barely contained her breasts. No tattoo, but a lot of earrings in one ear, and just enough makeup to look hot.

She smiled at him.

Rowdy looked her in the eye and smiled back.

“Now, don’t you look lonesome,” she purred as she touched one finger to his shoulder, trailing it down to his chest.

“Just waiting.”

“For what?”

He stared at her, saying nothing—which was exactly how he would have reacted regardless of what he was doing or why. He didn’t allow people to pry, ever, under any circumstances.

Undaunted, she gave a cute pout. “Maybe I could keep you company.”

Bold. He liked that, but in this neighborhood, he had to be careful. “You a hooker, honey?”

Playful, she swatted at him. “No, I’m not. Is that what you’re waiting for?”

“No.”

“Good. Because I work at the cigarette store.” After nodding toward the building, she again teased his chest. “But for you, I’m willing to skip a day.”

Pretending a reserve he didn’t possess, Rowdy glanced away—and damn it all, he didn’t see the man anymore. He scanned the street, the alleys...nothing.

“My goodness, you’re a big one, aren’t you?” She came closer until her body pressed to his, crowding him, making his senses go on the alert. “Wha’dya say, handsome?”

It’d be all too easy for a babe to hide a weapon. He wasn’t a fool, ever, not even for a sexy body and beautiful face.

“Sorry, honey, not today.” Hands on her upper arms, he eased her back a foot. “I’m waiting on someone.” To shore up that story, he checked his watch. “Hopefully, I haven’t been stood up.”

“A woman?”

“You are one nosy little lady, aren’t you?”

“I was just thinking that you could wait with me in the store.” Smiling, she leaned around to see his face and cajoled in a singsong voice. “It’s air-conditioned.”

“Hold up.” He used the excuse of retrieving his cell from his pocket to put even more space between them. On speed dial, he rang up Reese with the push of one button.

Reese answered on the first ring. “Rowdy.”

“Hey, dude, you coming or not?”

Not being an idiot, Reese caught on real quick. “Do you actually need me?”

“Yeah, sure. But, hell, it’s a hundred degrees here, with no shade to be found.” Rowdy smiled at the girl. “I’ve got a little sweetheart here offering to let me cool off in the...” Rowdy tipped his head at her. “Where’d you say you work, sweetheart?”

She smiled brightly. “The cigarette store.”

“Right.” Then back to Reese: “The cigarette store. You know the one, right by the...” He looked around as if he didn’t already know the name of the tattoo parlor by heart. “Killer Designz. Yeah, with a z.”

“Shit,” Reese said, understanding the silent message Rowdy conveyed. “I’m on my way.”

“All right, but make it quick. I have better stuff to do than wait around on you.” He smiled at the girl. “And she’s standing right in front of me.”

Reese didn’t find the humor in that. “Damn it, Rowdy, are you in any danger?”

“Nope.” To make sure that was true, he checked out the surrounding area again, but saw no one suspicious. “I’ll give you fifteen, and then I’m heading in with the lady. After that, you can damn well wait on me.”

Soon as he closed his phone, the little lady took his hand and started back-stepping toward the street, trying to haul him along with her.

“Not so fast, sweetheart.” Rowdy Yates did not get dragged away by women—at least, not women fully clothed and on a street corner. “Before I let you distract me too much, I need to give my buddy a few minutes to get here.”

She gave another pretty pout. “But he’s already kept you waiting, and it is hot out here.”

“True enough.” When he didn’t budge, she had to stop, too. “You should go on in. I’ll join you if I can.”

Undecided, she toyed with the end of her hair, shifted her feet, and finally opened her purse. “At least let me leave you my name and number.”

The way she said that seemed genuine enough. She looked and sounded the same as every other girl who wanted to get him horizontal. Maybe he was making a big deal out of nothing.

Then again, she was in this place, at this time, and it seemed awfully coincidental that she’d come on to him right when he wanted to follow the other guy.

She scrawled some info on the back of a receipt, but instead of handing it to him, she clutched it to her chest. “How do I know you’ll call?”

“Look at you.” He let his gaze linger on her impressive rack as he murmured, “I’ll call.”

That compliment had her beaming. “Better still, let’s set up something right now.” She traced a pink tongue along pinker lips. “How about...tonight?”

Fast work, but he’d play along. “All right. Sure.” No reason to make her suspicious. Not when she might have info he needed. “Where do I pick you up?”

“I’ll meet you. Is midnight too late?”

Figured it wouldn’t be that easy. “Tell me where, and I’ll be there.”

“The Drunken Dawg. You know it?”

Well, hell. Of course he knew it.

He’d just bought it.

His smile this time felt mean, but maybe she wouldn’t notice that she’d hit a nerve. “Yeah, that works.” He took the paper from her, glanced at it and shoved it in his back pocket. “Midnight, DeeDee. I’ll be there.”

Now that she’d gotten what she wanted, she turned to sashay away.

Rowdy focused first on how her shorts hugged a really nice ass, then dropped his gaze down the long length of those shapely legs.

And there it was, the f*cking tattoo, not on her arm as expected, but down the back of her left calf.

Huh. So, sexy DeeDee wasn’t so enamored with him after all. At least he knew he’d found the right place.

* * *

REESE HATED LEAVING Alice on the heels of her getting that damned phone call. It left him antsy and angry, but Rowdy wouldn’t have pulled him away for anything unimportant.

On his way out the door, still shrugging into his shirt, he dialed Logan and brought him up to speed.

Once in the car, he called up Peterson. She needed to know about Cheryl, but he also mentioned that Rowdy needed him.

“You will update me immediately after you find out what’s going on.”

“Soon as I can. Sure.” Rather than continue driving one-handed, he disconnected the call and put all his concentration on reaching Rowdy. He wore dark sunglasses and an absurd ball cap that, hopefully, would keep him from being too recognizable should he have to return to the area later.

Reese found Rowdy slumped comfortably on the curb, his back against a lamppost. Unsure how they should play it, Reese pulled up, let the car idle and waited.

Rowdy came over and got in on the passenger side. “Go right around the corner there, and then park it. Let anyone watching think that we’re doing a deal.”

“A drug deal?”

Shrugging, Rowdy said, “Why not? But we have to make it quick. Dealers and junkies don’t sit around in the dealer’s car shooting the breeze.”

Keeping the details short and sweet, Rowdy told Reese about the lights on inside Killer Designz, and the guy he recognized who’d disappeared after the woman had come on hot and heavy.

“Could be a coincidence.” But Reese didn’t like it. He eyed Rowdy and, feeling edgy for many reasons, quipped, “Maybe she just liked your smile.”

Rowdy took him seriously. “I wondered, since I do get hit on a lot.”

Looking at him over the dark sunglasses, Reese said, “Braggart.”

“Just stating a fact. Women have never...” He hesitated, shook his head. “Almost never been a problem for me.”

Rowdy’s love life was the least of his concerns at the moment. “If you don’t think it has anything to do with the case, why mention it?”

“Because she had the same type of tat as that dead girl, same as the one Alice described seeing on Cheryl.”

Reese cursed low.

“I didn’t see it until she was walking away. Instead of being on her arm, it was on her calf.”

Great. Now the sick f*cks were mixing it up, putting the tats in different locations. “Wonder if there’s any significance in that. If maybe a leg tattoo has a different meaning than on the arm.”

“I was thinking the same thing. Could be for different buyers, or as a sign of what she’s carrying.”

“They could be anywhere,” Reese mused aloud. “Back of the neck, shoulder, midsection...”

“Even a tramp-stamp.”

“Small of the back, right?”

“Yeah.” Rowdy gave it some thought. “You can ink just about anything on your body.”

“But we should assume it’d be a location easily seen. It’s not like these ladies can go around naked without drawing attention.” Reese glanced toward Killer Designz. “I need to get inside there.”

Hedging, Rowdy looked out the passenger window, then turned toward Reese in a rush. “It’d be easier for me.”

Reese didn’t even bother looking at him. “Forget it.” He put the car back in gear. “Where are you parked?”

Defiance held Rowdy silent until Reese started driving forward. Hands curled into loose fists, gaze unflinching, Rowdy directed him. “Turn right, circle the block. I’m up at the other end, by the park.”

Smart, not to be too close. Without showing it, Reese waited for the arguments to start.

“You’re a cop.”

“Seriously?” Reese pretended surprise. “I’ll be damned, I think you’re right.”

“One look,” Rowdy said, not amused by the sarcasm. “That’s all it takes. Everything about you screams officer of the law.”

“I’ll manage.” Somehow. But Rowdy might have a point. Unlike Logan, who had successfully pulled the wool over Pepper’s lustful eyes, Reese wasn’t quite as anxious to try the undercover routine.

But given that they were so short-staffed right now, he might not have a choice.

“That’s me,” Rowdy said, nodding at a beat-up truck.

Reese pulled up alongside Rowdy’s ride. No one paid any attention, not with the park filled with kids and young moms, people with their pets, joggers and walkers. “How is it you have a damned different vehicle every other day?”

“I rotate when I don’t want anyone to tag me.” He didn’t exit Reese’s car. “So, what are you going to do?”

It might not be routine, but he decided Rowdy had a right to know. “Cheryl called Alice.”

Other than the pinching of his brows, Rowdy showed no discernible reaction. “She’s okay?”

“Alice or Cheryl?”

He slashed a hand through the air. “I’m assuming you have Alice well in hand.”

Reese stared at him.

“Keeping her safe, I mean.” Rowdy rubbed his face with both hands. “Jesus, don’t tell Alice I phrased it like that.”

In many ways, Rowdy’s rapport with Alice resembled the relationship he had with his sister—full of platonic concern, caring, protectiveness.

And good thing, since Reese’s heretofore unknown jealous streak shone bright around Alice. “For now at least, Cheryl is alive. She wanted to meet Alice.”

“No f*cking way.”

Not that Rowdy had a vote in the decisions, but... “You took the words right out of my mouth.” Reese pulled down his sunglasses. “Cheryl called the extra cell Alice had, and she used the code Alice set up, claiming her life was peachy.”

“You can’t let her—”

“Absolutely not.” Pushing the sunglasses to the top of his head, Reese rubbed his unshaven jaw. “Alice asked if she could make it tomorrow instead of tonight, and Cheryl said she’d call back.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.” Reese saw a small group of women eyeing them. Two of the women had kids with them. The other three were whispering and laughing about...something.

“They’re just flirting,” Rowdy said. “Ignore them.”

So, even though he hadn’t looked, Rowdy knew they were there? Talk about situational awareness....

“Alice is probably going nuts worrying about Cheryl right now. Damn, man, I’m sorry I pulled you away.”

Alice had promised to let him know immediately if she got another call, and other than taking Cash out, she wouldn’t budge from the apartment. “You did the right thing.”

“I don’t know about that. Holding back was not my first choice.”

Reese turned to him with a frown.

Holding up a hand, Rowdy stalled his objections. “You said you wanted it by the book, so I’m trying.” Bracing that hand on the dash, Rowdy turned to fully face him. Tensed muscles showed along his arm, his shoulder. “But now you have to do the right thing, too.”

Reese narrowed his eyes.

“You have to let me check out Killer Designz.”