“Yeah.”
“Wipe it clean, and let’s get out of here. As far as I’m concerned neither of us were here. Are you hungry?”
“A little.”
“Let’s go grab some lunch and talk. Meet me at Four Kinds in Venice Beach. My brother owns the place, and we can talk there in private.”
She pulled her phone from her pocket.
“Address?” she asked.
I rattled it off as we both walked out of the warehouse.
“I have someone who will call this in, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Don’t ditch me either.” I pointed at her as she opened her car door.
“Are you buying?” She grinned.
“Yeah. I’m buying.”
“Then I won’t ditch you. I never turn down a free meal.” She climbed in her car and shut the door.
I let out a chuckle as I pulled out my phone and dialed Vinnie.
“What now, Kind?” he answered.
“Your boy is down and needs medical attention. Call 911 and give them the address to the warehouse.”
“What the fuck did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. The hot chick did. Call it in. I’ll be in touch.” I ended the call.
I climbed in my car and pulled away. Damn. Sexy wasn’t a word that did her justice. Her five-foot-eight lean and ripped body caught my attention very quickly, as did her long dark hair, beautiful green eyes, and full lips that would look amazing wrapped around my cock. She was a very desirable woman, and what she did to Cody was unbelievable. I needed to find out everything I could about her, and I’d give her the chance to tell me over lunch. If I felt she was holding anything back, or lying, I’d investigate Detective Grace Adams myself.
CHAPTER 4
Grace
His voice from behind was sexy, but when I turned around, my eyes didn’t prepare me for what I’d seen. Six foot three inches, short dark hair, hypnotic blue eyes, a neatly trimmed dark beard that sat upon his masculine jawline, and a thin well-kept mustache above his full lips. My eyes mainly stayed focused on his, but they sure noticed his ripped and fit body. I was always a sucker for a man with defined muscles.
I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and Simon pulled into the space next to me. Grabbing my purse, I climbed out.
“By the way, nice car.” A smile crossed his lips.
“Thanks, it’s a rental.”
“Shall we?” He gestured with his hand.
When we stepped inside, he led me over to a booth in the corner. A young woman followed us and set two menus down on the table.
“Thanks, Kara.”
“You’re welcome, Simon. Do you want me to let Sebastian know you’re here?”
“He’s here? I thought he was at the other restaurant today?”
“He sent Marco over there.”
“You might as well. He’s going to see me anyway.”
“I take it Sebastian is your brother?” I spoke.
“Yeah. He’s one of my brothers.”
“How many do you have?”
“Three. We’re quadruplets.”
“Seriously?” I cocked my head. “I’ve never met anyone who was a quadruplet before.”
“A lot of people haven’t.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Hey, bro. Well, hello there.” A handsome man smiled when we walked over.
“This is my brother, Sebastian. Sebastian, meet Detective Grace Adams of the NYPD.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand to me.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Sebastian.” I placed my hand in his. “You have a beautiful restaurant.”
“Thank you. Did you two order yet?”
“No. Do you know what you want, or do you need some more time?”
“Nope.” I grinned. “I’ll have the lobster roll with the sweet potato fries.”
“Same for me, bro.”
“Great. I’ll get that ready for you. Beer, wine, cocktail?” Sebastian glanced at me.
“Gin and tonic. It’s five o’clock somewhere in the world.” I smiled.
“Beer for me,” Simon said as he gripped his shoulder.
“Is that where you got shot?”
“Yeah. Four weeks out and it still hurts like a bitch.”
“It’s going to take time.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m not a very patient guy. How are you involved with Ives and his crew?”
“Probably the same reason you are. Illegal gun sales, drugs, murder, sex trafficking.”
“I know nothing about the NYPD working with the LAPD on this.” His eye steadily narrowed at me.
Sebastian walked over and set our food in front of us.
“Thank you, Sebastian. They’re not. But I am.” I looked at Simon as I picked up my lobster roll.
“By yourself?”
“Yeah.” I slowly nodded and then took a bite.
“Does your captain know?”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “She thinks I’m in Cabo.”
“So, you came here to take down the syndicate yourself?” His brow raised.
“Pretty much. Anyway, you seem to be working solo. You’re on medical leave, yet you showed up at the warehouse by yourself. Does your captain know?” I cocked my head as I picked up a sweet potato fry.
“Well…”
“I take that as a no. So, how are you any different?”
“The difference is I’m a cop here. You’re not. You’re like a civilian—”
“Finish that sentence, Detective Kind, and I can’t be responsible for what I might do to you.”
He let out a chuckle. “You can’t do that, and you can’t say shit like that. Especially to me.”
“And why is that?”
“Because it’s hot and it turns me on. So, just stop.”
I sat there for a moment and narrowed my eyes at him before a smile crossed my lips.
“Fair enough. But I’m not leaving L.A. until I get every one of them.”
CHAPTER 5
Simon
During our conversation, my phone kept blowing up. When I pulled it from my pocket, I had several text messages from my two brothers in our group chat.
“Bro, who’s the hot chick?” Stefan texted.
“Sebastian said she’s a detective from New York. Why is she here?” Sam asked.
“Where did you find her?” Stefan again.
“Are we interrupting something?” Sam asked.
“Lunch at the restaurant?. You wanted us to know.” Stefan said.
“Knock it off, bros! I’ll talk to you all later tonight. My house at seven o’clock.”
“So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” I asked Grace.
My phone rang and when I looked over at it, I saw Roman was calling.
“Hold on.” I held my finger up to Grace. “Hey, Roman.”
“Hey. Our boy Cody was found.”
“Really? Where?”
“In a warehouse in South Park. He was badly beaten. His arm is broken and so is his jaw. He’s in the hospital and he’s still unconscious. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”