Bouncer (Bad Boys in Big Trouble Book 2) (11 page)

His eyes widened. He turned to her. “Agent Hayes has a visitor.”

“Who is it?” she asked.

Margaret said, “There’s a Mr. Mark Reece downstairs in the lobby asking to speak to you.”

Chapter Seven

Reece wasn’t usually so forward when it came to new relationships and women. He also shouldn’t have his ass currently parked, waiting in the fucking Federal Building lobby, seeking the company of his latest love affair. But this visit onto her turf wasn’t his call.

He wanted to talk to her, just not with ulterior motives guiding him as they did today. It had been made clear to him what he must say and do, whether he liked it or not, and he didn’t.

Last night, after seeing her to her car, he’d gotten the weirdest feeling of being watched. He didn’t see anyone, but that turned out not to mean a single damn thing. The phone call once he’d gotten back to his apartment this morning after coffee with Mike had changed everything.

He hated making the bold decision to just show up at her workplace, knowing Jessica was already very skittish about their relationship, but ultimately he had to guard his cover.

In fact, he’d already been verbally reprimanded for resisting this maneuver and promptly ordered to do it against his better judgement. There was no denying that Mark Reece needed to establish their relationship very clearly. It needed to be a very romantic relationship. It had to be a very
public
romantic relationship because it already
was
a fact in certain governmental agency circles.

Reece had been contacted by Miles Turner, his handler for this clandestine job, under the orders of several other members of his chain of command early this morning. He’d been linked to her at the coffee shop robbery through the paperwork and the media coverage much faster than he’d been prepared for.

The robbery had sent up a big red flag. Then another lettered agency—he didn’t even know which one—snapped a picture of him and Jessica together last night and promptly entered that photo into a particular database where criminals were often hunted for or linked as associated in some way with other criminals.

He wasn’t a criminal, but he did have a few unsavory ties within the parameters of the club as a part of his street cred. This indelibly linked him and Jessica together for the time being.

It had also led to this morning’s emergency call from Miles, who wanted to know what the fuck he was doing with an FBI agent while undercover for the DEA.

No one
seemed
to know they’d spent Saturday night together, but he couldn’t rule it out. Maybe they just hadn’t played that card yet. For now, as far as everyone knew they’d met at a robbery on Monday morning. She was publicly established as FBI, but she did not know
his
true vocation. Then they’d met at his place that same night and been filmed leaving together very early the next morning when he walked Jessica to her car.

The powers that ruled over his career decided immediately that they wanted Reece to use Jessica for
his
undercover operation. He was to establish their relationship and then tell anyone in his fake undercover world who wanted the information that he had an “in” with a federal employee. The very idea of it made his skin crawl, but he wasn’t in a position to argue. Reece was supposed to tell his club owner boss, Travis Arthur, that his girlfriend had access to any and all field operations information.

Therefore, she would be able to warn the club and its owner if any lettered agencies were going to be sneaking around. This was a very valuable connection for him, especially at this juncture of the seemingly endless undercover job.

Still, he hated to use her in this way or in any way. The only good news was perhaps they wouldn’t have to sneak around to be together. That would be fine with him. He wasn’t certain if it would be fine with her. And above all else he was
never
to tell her he was an undercover agent.
Ever
.

There were violent and actionable resources that would be used against him if she ever even suspected he was undercover law enforcement. Those resources were made very clear to him, repeatedly. It didn’t matter if she was a fellow law enforcement officer.
Do not tell her
was supposed to be his new mantra
.
He’d added on the word “yet” to the end of his new mantra.

Across the vast lobby of the Federal Building, Reece saw Jessica exit from the area of the elevator banks. A horde of other people came behind her as she headed in his direction. She walked through security and made a beeline for him. Her expression was closed off, hard to read. She might be pretty angry with him for showing up this way. He didn’t blame her.

The moment she was within speaking range, she said, “I didn’t expect to see you here today.”
Oh, yeah. She is pissed.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be here either. But something occurred to me and I felt I needed to be bold in this particular case.”

She crossed her arms, blocking off any sort of hug or embrace. “What brings you here, Reece?”
Shit.
She’d used his real name. He briefly paused to enjoy the way she said it, though. It was the first time she’d called him anything but Jones.

“I wanted your car keys so I could take your vehicle to get the flat tire repaired. I know you’re busy, but I’m off today. It would be no problem for me.”

The expression on her face shifted from wary to utter disbelief. It was the only thing he could think of in an attempt to endear her affections. Plus, he truly did believe she was driving around unsafely on that temporary tire.

“What?” She shook her head. “Why would you do that?”

“Because I care about you. What if you need to be in a car chase later? You’d be up shit creek without a paddle.”

Her lids narrowed, but he sensed she was softening. “How do you know the donut is still on my car?” Her eyebrows lifted, and he could definitely tell she was not as angry as when she’d first arrived.

“Isn’t it?” She scowled, and he knew he was right. He’d gambled she wouldn’t have had time to have it replaced on her way to work after leaving the coffee shop earlier.

He leaned closer. “I know for a fact that the donut is still on your car because I saw your vehicle at the coffee shop this morning. Before you tell me it could be another car, I memorized your license plate for fun. So please, let me take it and get it fixed. It’s a safety thing.”

“Really? That’s the only reason you came in here today?”

He shrugged and rolled his eyes. “Okay. I also wanted to see if you were really an FBI agent.”

Her brows furrowed once more, but her expression lightened considerably. “You didn’t believe I was in the FBI? Why not? I flashed my badge at the coffee shop. Not to mention the local cops take a dim view of people who
claim
to be an FBI agent and start shooting up the place.”

He shrugged. “Well, I didn’t see your badge up close and personal. Could’ve been a fake. Trust me, I know all about fake IDs in my line of work. But since you didn’t show it to me I couldn’t be sure, now could I?”

A smile shaped her lips.
Fuck, she is stunning
. Jessica took a step closer, coming into his personal space. “So what I’m hearing is that the next time we’re alone together you want me to show you my badge so you can get a good look at it?”

“Yes,” he whispered, leaning forward to add, “and if you’re wearing
only
my discarded shirt at the time, that would be awesome.”

“Well, I’ll have to think about it. Naturally, I don’t show my badge to just anyone.”

“What if I said please and then went and got your tire fixed for you?”

Jessica giggled. “You are something else.” She looked over her shoulder, probably checking to see if anyone listened in. No one was within fifteen feet of them.

“I do my best.”

“Fine. I’ll show you my badge the next time we’re alone…and I’m wearing your discarded shirt.”

“Excellent. Now give me your car keys so I can be a hero and I’ll be on my way.”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a key fob with a single key. Handing it to him, she held his fingers briefly before letting go.

“When do you get off work?” he asked quietly.

“Usually six, but I’m not certain about today.”

“Oh, right, because you have that special project. The one you need extra sleep for. Is that right?”

She stared intently into his eyes for the first time since meeting him in the lobby. “Yes. That’s exactly right.”

“But we
are
still going out to my club tonight to dance, right? Please say yes.”

That seemed to startle her. The powers ruling his life wanted them together in the club as soon as possible to establish him as linked to her in an intimate way. He was supposed to make a big show of having her on his arm, introducing her around to his fellow employees. He had no doubt that Jessica would loathe any special attention.

“Yes. But maybe we can just sit and have drinks.”

Reece wasn’t going to let her be a wallflower. Well, Reece Langston would have, but Mark Reece needed to establish her as a love interest. Being seen dirty dancing with her in the center of the club was his best option. “Oh no. We need to get on the dance floor at least once. I need one sexy slow dance around the room at the very least, maybe two. Don’t make me look bad in front of my club friends.”

She pushed out a sigh. “Okay. Just remember I don’t dance, so you’ll have to lead.” Her head tilted back and she stared deeply into his eyes. She seemed distracted. Or was that regret he saw?

“I can’t wait. I promise to make you look great on the dance floor.”

She huffed. “That will be a tall order.”

“Don’t worry. I’m up for it.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” She gave him that same seductive look she had at the coffee shop this morning. The tip of her tongue touched the center of her top lip briefly and he wanted to press her to the marble floor of this busy Federal Building and have his wicked way with her.

“Watch it. I’m a mere mortal man and I love your sweet tongue.”

She grinned, but stopped teasing him. “Sorry. I lost my head and forgot where I was. You make me want to do wild things. Guess I’ll have to keep my eye on you.”

“That’s probably a good idea. So, shall I pick you up at your place tonight?”

Her gaze went to one side, as if she was about to make an excuse to call it all off. He held his breath, but soon she shrugged. “Sure.”

Reece frowned. “You aren’t afraid to give me your address, are you?”

Jessica shook her head in amusement. “No.”

“Good. Because I’d planned to plunder your glovebox to find out where you live when I get your tire fixed anyway.”

A mischievous smile surfaced. “Sorry. That won’t help you. In fact, you’d end up at my parents’ house several states away. But I’m sure my dad would
love
to talk to you.”

“Ooh. That might be a little awkward.”

She glanced around again as if doing a quick perimeter check to ensure their limited privacy. “Did I mention that I’m the youngest of five
and
the only girl?”

“Wow. You have four brothers, too?” he asked and then cursed himself. Reece Langston had four brothers. Mark Reece did not. He was about to change the subject and hope she didn’t bring it up again but her focus was elsewhere. An arrogant-looking guy with a determined expression headed in their direction at a fast clip.

Jessica went a bit pale. From several yards away and closing fast, the man gave Reece a dirty look and shouted, “Agent Hayes, you’re needed upstairs right now.”

~ ~ ~

Jessica watched Neil’s approach with active horror. He yelled out her name across the lobby, intruding on their quiet conversation, and advanced on the two of them with a particularly triumphant look in his eyes. What was he up to?

In as tolerant a tone as she could muster, she waved him off and said, “I’ll be up in a few minutes.” She still had to broach the subject of inviting her fake college roommate with a tagalong fake boyfriend out with them tonight. It was supposed to be their first night out together and not the perfect time to bring along anyone else in her opinion, but she’d be overruled again if she brought it up.

Neil scowled at Reece, stepped way too close to the two of them, and said, “No. Come right now.”

He reached for her like the smarmy dirt bag he was. Reece suddenly moved in close, putting himself directly in her path. Neil’s hand landed on Reece’s jacket sleeve instead.

“Hands off of me, dude,” Reece said over one shoulder. Neil snatched his hand back, watching Reece half cradle her in his arms with a most obvious and inappropriate jealous expression plastered on his face.

“Run along, little man. This is a private conversation. I’ll think about sending her back upstairs when I’m through with her.”

Neil’s face went tomato red and his lips trembled in rage. “You…she…I…” He took a deep breath and tried again. “This is her place of work, she’s needed upstairs, and there is an unwelcome guest here currently.”

Jessica started to speak, but Reece’s arm tightened around her shoulder. She closed her lips firmly to keep from screaming. Reece hugged her even closer to his warm side. “You are absolutely correct that there are one too many people standing here. And I hate to say this, but it’s you, little man. So go away.”