Page 1 of Splintered Security (Aspen & Evergreen #2)

explosive orgasms

Ren

“Credible threat. I repeat, credible bomb threat. Clear the floor.”

My team at Queen City Wine Bar knows the protocol and moves into action at my words.

Hell, everyone at Barone Hospitality does.

House lights flood the sitting areas, halls, and kitchen, cueing me that we’ve begun emergency procedures.

Pacing behind the monitors in the control room, I hear my team through the comm in my ear.

“Yeah, boss.”

“Roger that.”

“Oh shit.” That seems to come from more than one.

I pull the door open, striding down the hall, and text the one person I wish I could avoid.

Me: Bomb threat. Clearing QC now. Police inbound. Stay clear.

Christian: What the fuck ?

I don’t have time for this drama. Not at Queen City, and not with him.

And it’s not the seconds ticking down on the timer that worry me. It’s her. What is she doing here? It’s too fucking coincidental that Anni Garver is here and that the building might explode. Somehow, chaos follows her.

It’s certainly following me.

“It’s a madhouse here. I need a hand.”

“People are being trampled. Are we sure this is real?”

“Boss is going to be pissed about the open tabs tomorrow morning.”

“Enough fucking chatter,” I growl into my wrist piece. “Move.”

I don’t need the commentary from these wannabes. I need as many people out of this building as possible, as quickly as possible.

Better now than as part of search and rescue—or worse… search and recovery.

I shove the men’s room door open. It bounces off the wall from the force of my slam. Two men have their backs to me and are going at it in the corner. One turns to level his eyes at my brazen interruption. “What the fuck, man?”

“Leave.” My one-word bark is enough for them to yank at their waistbands and rush out of the door while I wait.

“Could’ve given us two more minutes.”

“Asshole. ”

Little do they know two more minutes could’ve given them the most explosive orgasms of their lives.

I glare at their retreating forms before pushing the door to the women’s room open to find a lanky brunette snorting coke off the counter.

“Go.”

She jumps as my harsh word echoes through the room, but seems unhurried in her attempt to leave. “Come on, handsome. You should party with me.” She slides a hand over my pec as she sashays away from the counter. “You’re hot.”

“No thanks.” I dip away from her caress, not interested in anything she’s offering. I’d roll my eyes if I had the luxury of the two extra seconds it would cost me.

“The cops are here.”

They’re not here. Not yet. And the ones who are coming won’t give a shit about her blow. They’ll only care about the real threat tonight.

At least my words do what I intended. She freaks out and bolts, rushing out the door without a backward glance.

“You can come out now, Anni.”

I plant my feet wide, throw my arms over my chest, and stare at the closed stall door.

“I wish we had time to chit-chat.” No, I don’t. “But that’s not a luxury we have. I need to get you out of here.”

Silence.

“Annika Garver, I’d kick that stall door down if I didn’t think I’d smash you with it. Don’t make me pull it off its hinges to make a point.” A growl escapes my throat when too many moments pass. I stare at my watch, counting down how long I can be polite. “Anni?—”

The stall door opens, and there she is.

And fuck if she’s not as beautiful as ever.

Anni

Lorenzo Gallo.

God, the man is beautiful. Most men would be too insecure to accept the compliment that word connotes. Not Ren. He must know how gorgeous he is.

His toned body announces to the world he takes care of himself. Six feet, five inches of hard packed muscles. Jet black hair, olive skin, cheekbones that looked carved into his face, and a sharp jaw, with the slightest dimple in his chin. That face has starred in my dreams since I met him.

His angry, navy eyes bore into mine like he’s trying to pin me to the spot. He could melt my clothes right off if he looks at me like that long enough. At least, I used to think so anyway. It’s been a long time since I’ve let myself dream like that.

“Hi, Ren.”

“Don’t Hi Ren me, Anni. You gotta go.”

I plant my hands on my hips and jut out my foot, ready to give him what for, when he tips his head in thought and looks at his watch. His eyes blow wide, and he yells, “Fuck.”

His body hits mine just as the room explodes.