Page 2 of The Team

Where there wasn’t evil lurking in the shadows or death and destruction around every corner.

Where he wasn’t on high alert, on a secret mission, undercover.

Where he could be himself. Be nothing but a regular twenty-six-year-old man in a club in Soho, watching the love of his life dance without a care in the world.

Jay Lin had been a beacon of light in his life for eight years. A sassy, sarcastic, smart-mouthed ray of fucking sunshine.

Hisray of sunshine.

Jay needed to let loose tonight. They’d been in go-mode for months, and while Rhett could forge on, Jay had needed a break. Just for a few hours.

Of course, Rhett would never deny him.

He’d do anything for him.

Jay had only had two beers—barely enough to take the edge off—but he liked to dance. Where he could close his eyes and lose himself to the music, to the thump and sway of dancing bodies.

And Rhett could lose himself watching Jay.

Jay was shorter than most men. All of five foot four inches and barely sixty kilos, and holy hell, he was pretty. His Chinese/Malaysian heritage was a striking mix, and with his bright eyes and blinding smile, men were usually drawn to him.

He never showed a hint of interest in them though. His eyes were on Rhett the whole time, and most men took one look at Rhett’s six-foot-two, military-fit frame and his death glare and usually got the message. Or Rhett would slide his hand down to Jay’s ass and give the guy a lethal and possessive glare and that was the end of that.

Not that he had to mark his territory often, but he’d have no hesitation. Not in any country in the world, and certainly not in a bar in Soho.

So when he noticed a man at the back of the club watching the dance floor, watching Jay, Rhett kept an eye on him.

Five ten, Chinese, fit, serious, and wearing all black. His short hair looked military, and the way he scanned the room while appearing not to was a tell.

Fuck.

Rhett put his water down, watching. Waiting.

A second man appeared, trying to come off as smiling as he spoke to the first guy. Taller, bigger, also Chinese, definitely military.

And definitely watching Jay.

Rhett was on the move.

He weaved his way through the crowd toward the dance floor. Jay was watching him, saw the seriousness, so he knew... but he kept up the charade and never stopped dancing. Rhett didn’t collect him, didn’t take his hand and lead him outside. He put his hands on his hips and began to sway with him so he could whisper in his ear.

“Two men, corner, at your three o’clock.”

Jay put his arms around Rhett’s neck, swaying and smiling. Then he leaned up on his toes and pulled Rhett down a little so he could talk in Rhett’s ear. “Are they swingers?”

Rhett growled. “Not funny.”

Jay threw his head back and laughed, then whispered again, his lips at Rhett’s ear. “They’re definitely watching. Should we give them a show?”

Rhett didn’t like the way these men had singled them out. Their night of anonymity was over. “We should leave.”

Still playing his part and not to cause a scene, Jay laughed again, took Rhett’s arm, and led him toward the exit. As soon as they were outside, they were nothing but shadows in an already dark night, disappearing in plain sight.

Round the corner, down the alley, through a gate, and gone.

“Who were they?” Jay asked, serious now as theyclung to the shadows, heading for the crowds on Rupert Street.

“Don’t know. But they weren’t just watching you. They were scoping. We got made.”