Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security 6)

“I went to the office to get some help, but I forgot after speaking with Hayden. I was just so upset over what she had been through.” I glare at a spot on the wall, hoping he doesn’t ask another question about Jude.

I haven’t breathed a word about this to him. He was a guy I was sleeping with and nothing more. Why would I ever open my mouth about personal issues to him? That makes things messy.

Things got messy even without sharing bits and pieces of my personal life.

“I want you to go back to the office,” Quinten says.

“I’m in Texas,” I remind him.

“I’ll make an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. Can you make it then?”

“Yes.”

“Stay in a hotel when you get back to town if you come home tonight.”

“I will,” I tell him even though I know I’ll probably schedule a flight as late tomorrow morning as I can to make it on time to the appointment. Going back sooner will only start up that itch to go see Jude that I’ve managed to dull to a low irritation with over six hundred miles of distance.

“When you arrive, let Pam know you have an appointment with Deacon Black. You met him at the office last week. I’ll have Hayden text you the time.”

“Thank you,” I tell him sincerely.

The call ends, and although I feel a little better knowing I’m going to get some help, I also feel a heightened level of anxiety of going back to St. Louis.

Chapter 27

Jude

“How many?” Kit asks with wide eyes.

“Three,” Flynn confirms. “The media is a shitstorm right now.”

“But they were all legal?” Gaige interjects.

“They were all of age,” Flynn says.

“Then it’s nobody’s business what the man does in his private time.”

“His wife probably doesn’t feel that way,” I mutter.

Kit points at me in agreement.

“And let’s not forget that he’s a preacher at that big church down on Franklin.”

We all stare at Flynn.

“Really?” Gaige asks, his eyes widening.

“Yep. The preacher man was busted at a seedy motel with three hookers, and now there’s going to be further investigation into his case.”

“You said they were all consenting adults. I mean, I know prostitution is illegal, but further investigation?” I lean forward, finding this positively fascinating.

I had a great time with Parker, getting inside of her became all I could focus on but the idea of keeping up with three women at the same time doesn’t even seem physically possible to me.

“The hookers weren’t the issue. Come to find out, he’s been using the church’s credit card for the motel reservations.”

Gaige chuckles when Flynn explains further. “Yep, that’ll do it.”

“I think Deacon is probably going to start turning down certain cases. I don’t think even Quinten can sweep in and turn the story around on this one.”

“I don’t think he’ll want to,” I add. “Three women, that’s just—”

“Don’t knock it until you try it,” Gaige says with a smile.

His experiences must not match everyone else’s because we’re all gawking at him.

“Three?” Flynn asks. “Really?”

Gaige shrugs. “I told them I couldn’t choose. They said I didn’t have to.”

“My balls hurt just imagining the logistics,” Kit mutters.

“Lots of hands and mouths. It didn’t hurt that they were as hot for each other as they were for me.”

We all slow blink at him.

“Lesbian action?” Kit says, leaning his elbows on his knees to get closer. “Really? I’ve never seen that in person.”

“I went to the wrong college,” I grumble, just wanting to be a part of the conversation.

Plus, I’ve had certain fantasies. Every man has, and I didn’t lose my virginity until recently. My mind was a scary place until then.

“College?” Gaige says, looking at me. “That happened a couple weeks ago.”

“Bullshit,” Kit snaps. “There’s no way—Hey isn’t that Hayden’s friend?”

And that’s all it takes for me to forget that anyone else is in the room. The tall beauty strides in, chin held high, a look I remember from the first time seeing her outside the gun range months ago. It’s her I’m strong and independent, don’t-fuck-with-me look, and it’s still as sexy now as it was then but there’s a flash of something else in her eyes.

I take a step forward, but before I can reach her, Deacon comes from the hallway.

“Ms. Maxwell. Right on time. Follow me, please.”

I’m shocked speechless when Parker walks past. The only thing keeping me standing is the quick look she sends my way. It’s not so much an acknowledgement of who I am or what we once shared, but at least she doesn’t look right through me like she did when she walked into this office last week.

I have no idea why she’s here, but I’m not an idiot. There’s a reason Deacon is taking her to his office, a reason he addressed her like he would a client. There’s something going on in her life that may require BBS talents.