Jake laughed. “Yeah, I’ll say that for you, Bro. You were and are the toughest fucker I’ve ever known. But, we were lucky. The whole MMA craze came along just when we were trying to figure out how to keep you tethered.” He nodded to Hailey and said with an admiring shake of his head, “Just so you know, this cocky guy took to that vicious sport like Rocky did to the ring. When he was eighteen years old he placed in the top tier of the UMMAF Midwest Division. Won every match he fought.”
Jared put up his hands with a disparaging frown. “Enough, big brother. Yeah, I won a few dozen tournaments, and more than anything my passion for the sport pulled me back from the abyss. Meantime I went off to college and then spent six years in the Ranger Corps. When I left active duty I joined the DEA on the down low. I’d discovered from my Special Forces days that I was a natural at subterfuge and the DEA was thrilled to exploit my talents. When the DEA told me they wanted to plant a UC in the Dragon’s Curse—right here in my neck of the woods, I managed to convince my reluctant brother that the mission had my name on it. My connection to Janko and my rep as a hell raiser made it as quick ’n easy for me to hook up with the Dragon’s Curse as shit through a goose.
“The DEA cooked up a credible cover story that left questions about my exit from the military. As far as the Dragons and anyone without top level clearance knows the reasons for my leaving active duty are in a sealed file. That subterfuge allowed me to worm my way into the DC. Janko was suspicious, but the DEA info I fed them was too sweet for him to pass up. Besides, he’d always believed that I was as corrupt as he was, which I gotta admit at least for a time in my life was true.”
Jared grinned at his brother and said with a chuckle, “Janko believed that if it hadn’t been for Grandpop’s connections and the Justice name, I never would have made it into the military. It was easy to play on his paranoia that the only reason I achieved anything was because I was a Justice. In his mind my off the books ‘dishonorable discharge’ was just one more example of JM&M—Justice Money and Manipulation rigging the system.”
Jared glanced at his brother and seeing his agreement pinned Hailey with a hard frown.
“So, little rookie, here’s where we are in the op. Big Picture. The Dragon’s Curse is small potatoes in the world-wide illegal drug industry, but with the impressive shit they’re getting via the BOC, the Dragons are on their way to becoming a gen-u-ine player. The last thing we want is for the BOC to gain a foothold in the upper Midwest, especially through a homegrown organization like the Dragons. Trust me, those Balkan assholes have been eyeing our strategically located Twin Port cities for years now. Not only are we close to the Canadian border but we’re also at the tail end of the St. Lawrence Seaway, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Our goal is to cut the Dragons off at the knees, sending a clear message to the BOC that the North Country isn’t open for their despicable business.”
Jake stepped in to add to the tale. “Playing on his connection to Janko, my outrageous brother’s managed to insinuate himself into the Dragon’s Curse. He convinced Janko that he has a wealthy off-the-market Asian buyer looking for a reliable access to prime product and lots of it. Janko has been working his ass off trying to convince the BOC that he should be their go-to guy in the Upper Midwest. No fool he, Janko knows that if he can pull off a deal the size of the one Jared is offering, the BOC will have to take him seriously.”
Jared lifted a cocky brow and interjected. “Of course if anything goes wrong…. For example, if the DEA turns out to be the buyer and makes off with a mountain of BOC prime product… that would be ‘unsettling’ for the DC.” He added with a satisfied snort, “Those Balkan assassins don’t tolerate fuckups.”
Reaching for the Glenmorangie, Jared refilled his glass and topped off Hailey’s. He could see that the booze was having a salubrious effect on the little rookie. The pained expression she’d been wearing since their tryst in the woods had softened. Hell, she looked almost relaxed. The tears that had been hovering in her stunning indigo eyes had been replaced by an attentive interest in the operation he and Jake were describing. Jared had to give the rookie credit. She’d never once complained about her ankle, and moreover had done everything he told her to do, from swallowing the drugs to looking as though she was enjoying the scotch. Thinking about the items he still had on his agenda for the night, Jared wondered if she would continue to be as…amenable. He smothered a soft chuckle deciding it was time to wrap up the briefing. The rookie had to be tired. What she needed now was a comfortable bed. And ever the solicitous host, Jared intended to find her one.
Speaking directly to Hailey, Jared said, “To date, all of my communications with the Dragon’s Curse foot soldiers have been from a distance, via Janko. But his rabid freakos were getting antsy. Wanted to see me in the flesh, confirm that I’m as bad as they are. Plus they think that having one of the Justice Brothers in their racist ranks will add credibility to their sick organization. Give them a cachet—of sorts. Jake and I agreed. We’ve spread the word that Grandpops is ill and that I’m coming back to the Zenith City to check up on him. Jake and I have been meeting surreptitiously and planned to have me return soon. But tonight’s escapade, which could have been a disaster if it had been anyone but you who saw me with Jake and Solly, confirms that we need to speed up our timing.”
With that, Jared rose to his feet, and eyed his brother.
“Don’t know if you noticed, Bro, but the little rookie looks like she’s about to nod off. Seems with all the beds we have in this house, the least we could do is tuck her in one.”
Before Jake could respond, Jared reached down and picked up Hailey. Ignoring her surprised squeal, Jared held her close to his chest and pinned his brother with a narrow gaze.
“Given that I’m the reason the Valley Girl hurt her ankle, and being the gentleman that I always and ever am, I’m obligated to offer her my old bedroom, don’t you agree?”
Not waiting for Jake to answer and ignoring the warning frown on his brother’s face, Jared sauntered to the door and said over his shoulder, “Tell you what, after I get Officer Michels safely tucked in my comfortable bed, you and Sgt. Solberg and I can finish planning my reentry into our fair city.”
Glancing at his watch, Jake barked, “You’re pushing, Jared. And, you’re right. We do have an op to plan. Sgt. Solberg and I will be waiting right here for you, buddy. Don’t dally. You hear me, Agent Justice?”
Jared laughed a hearty laugh. “Hey, Lieutenant, I’m nothing if not a quick worker. You of all people should know that, Jake.”
Jake’s disgruntled sigh sounded heartfelt. “Yeah, little brother, I agree. Along with all of your other skills, you’ve always been able to get to the heart of the matter quicker than anyone I know.”
Jared was still chuckling as he walked out into the hallway and over to the staircase, holding Hailey snugly in his arms.
Chapter 5
K
nowing that Jared wouldn’t put her down even if she insisted, Hailey burrowed against his muscular chest. She clung to him realizing that for the last five hours, one big man after another had carried her in his strong arms. While Sgt. Solberg was one of the men, and she’d appreciated his caring solicitousness, the strong arms that had her gasping for air were the ones holding her now. As he mounted the stairs, Hailey didn’t dare to think what would happen when Agent Justice got her up to his bedroom, much less
into
his
bed
, as he’d cavalierly informed his brother he intended to do. God, he had to feel her heart pounding against her chest. Hailey wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement, or, she admitted, more likely from both.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Jared entered the room at the end of the hallway.
“Okay, little rookie, we’re here. Just so you know, I spent my teenage years in this room, but I’m confident my Gramps had it fumigated at least twice after I left for college. I promise you it is now safe—at least from unhealthy transmittable diseases.”
With a soft laugh, Jared firmly kicked the door closed behind him. Trying not to be alarmed that they were alone, in his bedroom, no less, Hailey peeked up and surveyed the room. It was huge, more like a suite than a bedroom. Hailey sniffed dismissively. If anything epitomized a man-cave, or at least a spoiled rich kid’s idea of a man-cave, this was it. The apartment-sized haven had a lounging area, a study den, and every kind of video and audio equipment that a privileged kid could desire. From the bank of computer equipment to a ten foot wide television screen to the wall of cd’s, dvd’s and video game paraphernalia, it was clear that the boy who’d lived in this jam-packed room had wanted for nothing in the way of adolescent diversions.
Unfortunately, the expected boy toys didn’t hold her interest for more than a minute. What had Hailey’s heart beating impossibly faster was the bed—if you could call the three foot high platform replete with banked cushions and multiple pillows a bed. To call it king-sized didn’t do it justice. No, giant-sized, or maybe, party-sized, would better describe the mattress topped playground that stretched yawningly along one wall.
Jared must have felt her startle because he chuckled.
“Yeah, Valley Girl, I gotta confess, that bed was my declaration that if my family refused to let me be a bad-ass gangbanger, they couldn’t stop me from being a hound dog.” He added with a self-deprecating laugh, “It took me a lot of years to admit that what makes a bed exciting was less about the furniture, and more about the man and the woman in it.”
When Hailey stiffened at his obvious reference to his sexual escapades, Jared relented.
“Relax, rookie. I’m too old to be a hound dog and you’re too exhausted for me to tease you anymore. How about you make use of the john, and then I’ll tuck you into bed like the gentleman I occasionally am?”
The adjoining bathroom had an enormous shower with shower heads on all four walls. The hot tub next to it could’ve hosted a party of eight. Hailey didn’t want to imagine the group extravaganzas that had made use of this bathroom. Thinking back on her sheltered teenage years, Hailey huffed a hard sigh. California girls and guys were supposed to be the party animals, not small-town, Northern Minnesota hicks. Although Duluth was more like a small city, it was still decidedly Midwestern without California’s ‘anything goes’ reputation. So much for stereotypes.
Jarring Hailey back to the present, Jared stood her on the floor next to the commode then tipped up her chin and winked at her.
“Need any help taking those sweat pants off, rookie? Remember, we gotta be careful of your ankle.”
Horrified at the idea of him taking her pants down, and not a little embarrassed that he seemed to think she didn’t need privacy to pee, Hailey shoved at his hand.
“No, Agent Justice, I don’t need your help. But I
do
need my privacy. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.”
Jared’s voice was rich with amusement as he gave her a sharp salute, “Eye eye, Officer Michels. But, know that I’m right outside the door. As James Taylor says ‘if you need me, just call my name and I’ll come running…You’ve got a friend…”
Hailey couldn’t keep from smiling as he left the room singing one of her favorite songs. She realized with a guilty start, that unlike the song, a “friend” wasn’t what she wanted from the arrogant man. She wasn’t sure
what
she wanted. But whatever it was, and whether or not she was brave enough to ask for it, one thing was certain. The accomplished man humming outside the door could give it to her. Hailey was washing her face, and trying to ignore the fact that in a couple of minutes she would have to face Jared again, when a sharp knock on the door startled her.
“Promise I’m not coming in, Angel Face. Just thought this t-shirt would be more comfy than those sweats Solly dressed you in.”
Hailey looked at the door to see Jared drop a t-shirt on the floor. Admitting that the five sizes too large sweatshirt and pants she was wearing would be less than comfortable pajamas she reached for the colorful Harley Davidson t-shirt. She smiled when she read the warning slogan on the front:
Ever been shot from a moving motorcycle? Keep riding my ass!
Her laughter stuck in her throat when she saw that Jared’s t-shirt hit her mid-thigh, revealing a good bit of bare skin. It was one of the challenges of her long legs and what she was sure Jared would derisively label her ‘Barbie bod.’ Hailey sniffed. She was aware that the embattled Mattel Co. was trying to reengineer what the politically correct mavens called Barbie’s
unrealistic
image and were creating more “normal” varieties of girl-shaped dolls. For better or worse, Hailey was stuck with the long legged, big busted original Barbie shape. It was a figure that had brought her no end of male attention since her body chose to add some distinctive ‘swells’ to her gangly pre-teen figure. She looked back on her pre-adolescent years with a regretful sigh. Life definitely had been simpler when she had a stick-like figure and her nickname was Icha-bod.
Remembering the appreciative way that Agent Justice had been openly assessing her, Hailey admitted that big boobs had their benefits. At least she got noticed. The problem was that most of the men she met assumed that her breasts, and maybe her ass, were the only things she had going for her. The thought that she might have a brain in addition to her dick magnet body never seemed to occur to the men slobbering over her. Not that Agent Justice slobbered. He was much too knowledgeable about the effect his righteous body had on women to sink to slobbering. Rather, he leered knowingly; assuming any woman was his for the taking—if he chose to imbibe.
Preparing to hobble out to meet him, Hailey reassured herself. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t met men who were almost as compelling as the bad boy waiting for her on the other side of the door. And it wasn’t as though she didn’t know how to handle horny men, either. She’d had years of practice saying no to the hordes who’d come on to her. Unfortunately she didn’t know if she would know how to say no when her aroused body was screaming yes!