Task Force Three and the Irish Jewel [The Men of Five-O #3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (7 page)

“You’re needed upstairs. I have so much to tell you. Please excuse us, gentlemen,” the man stated as he pulled her along. The young woman they now knew as Ava shrugged her shoulders and followed the tall, skinny man. Sean and Kyle followed as well.

“What do you think?” Kyle asked Sean as they located Ava and kept her in their sights. It seemed they had intimidated her to the point at which she remained in the most crowded part of the gala.

“There’s something about her eyes that seems so familiar to me.”

Kyle gave him a shove. “You’re an idiot. Of course she looks familiar, we saw her the other night. Her scent drew us to her from an alleyway away. She’s our mate, Sean, and we need to find out everything we can about her. She’s not going to stick around long. You can tell by the way she’s fidgeting with her purse,” Kyle stated then walked over to Ava.

* * * *

Ava tried not to stare. The two men introduced themselves as Kyle and Sean. Even when they spoke, she focused on their lips and absorbed their incredible features as if they were some form of fine art. They remained by Ava most of the evening, basically flirting with her and scaring off any other man that may have shown an interest in her. She should have been frightened or at minimum uncomfortable and annoyed at their constant attention. They were very charming, and for some odd reason, she was attracted to both of them. They were also rather large, which intimidated her a bit, but the sexual attraction overpowered the urge for concern. Her nipples felt so hard, she hoped that they weren’t noticeable through her dress. She’d lost the damn shawl she had, and she could have sworn that even her breasts seemed swollen. Was her cleavage even more noticeable than before? She sensed her cheeks warm with embarrassment. Damn, she felt claustrophobic and at her wits’ end. She stole a quick glance toward the two hunks, and of course they were staring, and her body tingled in response.

She should be afraid of their profession and how it might cause her some unnecessary problems. Considering her lack of experience with men and young twenty-two years of age, her body spoke volumes to her. Ava watched as many women took notice of both Sean and Kyle. What woman in her right mind wouldn’t notice such handsome, extra-large men? She wondered why they were so interested in her and how she could give them the slip.

They tempted her like no other but also made her suspicious. What could they possibly be after? She knew they were investigators in the local city police department, and she knew they were doing surveillance on Simon and Duggy. Could they possibly know who she really was? They never asked her last name. Would they fall for her alias? Or could they be involved with Simon and Duggy and ultimately Fenly himself? Suddenly she began to panic. With a gentle caress to her lower back, Sean whispered into her ear.

“You suddenly seem upset. Want to share what’s on your mind, beautiful?” he asked. His big blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked down toward her lips as if debating about kissing her. He was dangerous, and she was certain that his kiss would be lethal. The warmth of his touch traveled through her body, making her feel weak. She felt the urge to lean back against him and feel more of his masculine touch. Despite her reservations, she found herself licking her lower lip before holding his gaze. She had fought hard to remain safe, and a couple of good-looking men were not going to be her downfall. She straightened her spine and stared right back up at him.

“Sean, you’re such a flirt. I don’t know why I’m still standing here next to you and your brother.”

Sean raised his eyebrow at her in the most adorable way, but somehow she knew he was trying to be serious, not adorable. Kyle leaned against her. Although he was wearing the tux, she could feel his solid chest against the material and it felt warm over her skin.

Kyle took her hand and raised it up to his lips. He kissed her fingertips, and she nearly moaned. “How do you know we’re brothers?” he asked. Then he kissed her fingertips again and placed his other hand against her lower back.

She realized that they had both maneuvered her away from the crowd and their massive bodies now blocked the view of onlookers.

“Your blue eyes and facial expressions are nearly identical.”

“And?” Sean pushed for more details as he took her other hand and began to press small kisses to her palm. Damn, these guys were good at seduction. She suddenly had the urge to lose her virginity with either brother willing, or both. Her face instantly felt warm as she shyly bowed her head.

“Look at me,” Sean stated with a touch of his fingertips to her chin.

“What gave our little secret away?” he asked.

The way he said “secret” brought reality back to haunt her. She could never really have a true life or a true relationship with a man. Not until her father’s killer was brought to justice. Planning a vendetta would not be smart while fooling around with the local law. She pulled away and took a step forward only to be stopped by Kyle.

“What’s wrong? What are you afraid of?” he asked her.

“I need you, Ava, now!” Martin pushed between Sean and Kyle, taking Ava’s hand and leading her away from the two sexy cops.

“Are you okay?” Martin asked.

“Fine, why?”

“Because those two monstrosities looked like they were about to eat you alive. They’re the talk of this party, Ava. Their boss or someone just arrived with two other men. Look,” Martin stated then pointed toward the doorway entrance.

There stood all five men like some special operation team in tuxes instead of battle gear, and they were all staring at her. Their stern and intense expressions instantly reminded her of Fenly’s guards.
Oh shit! They’re wolves, too.

Ava turned abruptly.

“Help me get out of here, Martin. Now!”

Martin grabbed her hand and hurried through the gala. He knew some back exit to the high-rise building.

“Go down that hallway and through the exit doors. Take the alleyway across to the red side door of the next building. That door is always open because it leads to the kitchen. You’ll be inside Deville’s Italian restaurant. Then you know what to do.”

She kissed Martin on the cheek and hurried down the hallway.

“Just don’t open any other doors, sweetie,” he yelled after her, but she was in a hurry.

* * * *

“Where is she?” William asked Sean and Kyle as he looked around the room.

“She took off that way. What do you mean, where is she? You know that we found our mate?” Sean asked. William looked shocked as he glanced toward Pat and Mick.

“We’ll talk as we find her,” William stated and the five of them hurried across the room and in between people.

William took an unsteady breath and immediately felt the dire need to find Ava. Her life was in serious danger. If what Sean and Kyle said was true and she in fact was their mate, then the quicker they had her secured and safe the better. Then they could find out exactly how big Duggy Doolin’s operation was.

* * * *

Ava moved as quickly as her high heels would let her. Just as she shoved through the metal exit door she looked over her shoulder and saw one of the five men following her. She slammed the door shut and booked across the alleyway, the sound of her high heels hitting the concrete echoing between the buildings. Locating the door that led into the kitchen of the Italian restaurant, she pulled it open and quickly slammed it shut. Taking a few uneasy breaths, she felt that odd guilty feeling again. It was so strange. She had just met Sean and Kyle and hadn’t met the rest of their crew, yet she felt guilty for running off.
What the hell?

“Are you okay, Miss?” someone asked her as she turned toward the inquisitive facial expressions from a kitchen filled with cooks and waiters. The sweet smell of Italian sauce with fresh herbs filled her nostrils. Clattering pots and pans continued to bang around her as she gathered herself.

“Oh, yes. I’m fine now. I’ll get out of your way. Sorry,” she added then hurried through the kitchen. The enticing aroma seemed to follow her as she vacated the area. She took a moment to look around the restaurant and bar to make sure the men hadn’t shown up ahead of her. Taking a quick glance around her she noticed no one of interest until her eyes met with Simon’s.
Oh crap!
She abruptly turned away, trying to hide her face from him. Raising her fingers to her hair, she pushed the thick strands over her shoulders and against her cheeks to hide. He would surely know what she looked like. A panic attack was looming near. She felt her breathing grow rapid and her palms begin to sweat. She was suddenly too warm, the restaurant too crowded for her to breathe. Was Fenly here? The thought sent her into a frenzy. He couldn’t find her. She couldn’t let him catch her. Not now. Quickly she turned and headed toward the back bar area. It had a great view of the only two exits besides the kitchen. She knew she couldn’t escape through the kitchen. She would have to pass Simon and perhaps one of the sexy cops was going through the kitchen right now. As soon as she had the opportunity to run, she would take it.

Then suddenly the front door opened, and there stood two of the five men. Her eyes widened in shock. Her chest heaved up and down at the sight of the most handsome men she had seen in tuxedos all night. They looked intimidating and focused and maybe even hungry. The thought had her swallowing hard and trying to figure out why her pussy felt swollen and her panties damp. Was she losing her mind? In the middle of being chased by strange men, she was sexually attracted to two of them so far. A quick glance toward Simon and then at the men, and she knew Simon had noticed her. Quickly Ava headed toward the side exit door. She shoved it open, initiating the alarm as she headed toward the next alleyway.
Damn it! So much for living in hiding.

* * * *

She ran as quickly as she could as she looked over her shoulder to make certain that they weren’t catching up.

“Are we going to do this all night?”

She screamed as she heard the voice and practically ran into Kyle. His arms were crossed in front of his chest until she began to do an about-face and run away from him. Her senses were in overdrive. She was scared, her heart was pounding inside of her chest, yet when she felt his arms clamp around her waist, she felt as if she stood before a blazing fire.

His thick, solid arm wrapped around her midsection, forcing her to collide against him. Her legs flailed, and she fought his restraint until he applied a little pressure. The man was huge, and his arm felt muscular and solid, and she knew she was trapped. There was no way she could fight his strength.

A warm breath caressed her neck and shoulder, momentarily stunning her.

“Don’t run. I would never hurt you,” he told her, and her damn insides went haywire. A deep, seductive voice laced with heat crashed against her neck, causing tiny sparks of awareness to envelop her body inch by inch. Was that moisture dripping between her legs? Again? She read about sensations like this in her sexy novels, but she thought it was a load of bullshit.

Instinctively she struggled to get free, only for him to lift her up and move her toward the brick wall. He turned her around so she was forced to face him. Well, more like face his ribs. The coolness of the brick against her bare back couldn’t make the heat subside. She was on fire as her chest rose and fell and her eyes absorbed her captor. The man was a giant and built like a damn tank. She swallowed hard.

“Please don’t hurt me. I don’t know what you want,” she whispered, her voice cracking as she tilted her head up toward him, trying to lock gazes with him. He was breathing deeply, more deeply than what would be perceived as normal, and it gave her a funny feeling. Despite his caveman tactics and now the fact that he was sniffing her, she found herself softening in his embrace.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered then stared into her eyes. It was an intense moment. He looked so sincere and sexy that her heart pounded inside of her chest and her palms became sweaty with anticipation.
Kiss me.

Then came the burst of activity around them.

“Release her now!” someone yelled.

They both turned to see a man standing in the darkness. He was just as tall as Kyle but not as muscular. His face was hidden. Was it Simon?

“I don’t think so.” Another deep voice followed, and it came from the entranceway to the alley. She turned to see other men. She swallowed hard, they were a sight to see, and she was relieved that Kyle exclaimed he didn’t want to hurt her. Looking up, she noticed the smirk on Kyle’s face, and then his eyes began to glow.

Panicking, she pulled away from him, but he grabbed her by her thigh and pressed her against the wall with his back toward her. She shook with aftereffects of his touch to her thigh. An imaginary line of heat and arousal penetrated her skin and somehow wound up against her pussy lips. She attempted to reposition herself but there was no room to move. His body was armor and as solid as steel.

She grabbed at his body, his shoulders then waist, under the jacket of his tux, trying to push away from him, but it was useless. He was thick and totally in control of her movements.

“Let me go!” she demanded.

“Not a chance. Stay put. We’re here to protect you,” Sean stated, taking position next to her. She was now encaged by large, muscular backs covered in black tuxedos.

What did they mean by protecting her? Who were these men? She fidgeted with the purse to open it, then reached inside and grabbed one of the syringes. She couldn’t hit them both unless she took both syringes out and dropped her purse. She waited a moment as concern for their safety again filtered through her brain.
What the fuck?

She opted to wait this little scene out to see if they would handle Simon. With Simon off her back, at least she had a chance to escape.

* * * *

Willy instantly knew that Ava was their mate. He smelled her scent the moment he hit the hallway she escaped through. His wolf was in protective mode as he and his brothers surrounded her. He would deal with who she really was later. Right now he wanted to know why Simon wanted her so badly.