2. Austin Daredevil Wentworth

CHAPTER 2

AUSTIN "DAREDEVIL" WENTWORTH

What. The. Fuck.

I blinked at the subject line of the email GQ had sent me. There was no fucking way I was reading this correctly. As if I could change the contents, I closed it and restarted the computer. As I waited for my laptop to come back online, I rolled my shoulders as my foot bounced uncontrollably under my desk.

"Fucking hell."

There was no way it was meant for me. GQ, Jesse Evans, was my former SEAL team commander and head of EHM Security. He knew good and well that I wanted nothing to do with Greer. And if this was meant for me, I refuse to do it.

When the home screen came back into view, I logged in and opened my email once again. But the same infuriating message stared at me.

Appointment with Greer Rowan to firm up the next assignment.

Why the fuck did Greer need private security? And if he did, he sure as fuck didn't need me, of all people.

Against my better judgment, I clicked on the email. As I read, my nostrils flared, and my stomach churned as an intense level of irrational anger grew.

No.

Not fucking doing it.

Dreamboat could do it. He'd do anything to avoid being here with the new hire. I stood and stomped my way down the hallway to GQ's office.

But the sound of Olivia's sweet laughter quickly deflated my ire. Jesse's daughter was cute as hell. Even though it was biologically impossible, Livie looked just like her daddy. My best friend and former SEAL Team Commander and his husband, Dominick Rossi, had adopted her last year. And when she wasn't in school, he and his Pirates place kicker husband traded off time with the little girl.

When I reached his doorway, GQ looked up at me with an expression I knew well. It didn't take him long to read my face, because his smile slipped a little.

"Hey, Dare. What's up?"

Olivia looked over at me and her eyes lit up. Bounding from the chair at the kid-sized table in his office, Livie came running at full speed. I opened my arms and scooped her up.

A little more of my anger slipped away as I lifted her into the air.

"DD!" she yelled, as she launched herself into a big hug around my neck. Her soft blonde curls were everywhere and tickled my face.

"Hey, Livie girl. What are you doing here today?"

She giggled and pulled back to look at me. She placed both her hands on my cheeks and gave me a look. "Daddy said he needed me, and Papa is helping Uncle Cooper with the horses. I wanted to go, but Daddy needed me more."

My eyes shifted to Jesse, who sat back with a smug ass look on his face. The asshole knew I wouldn't lose my shit with Livie here.

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. He said you missed me."

The smile I rarely wore anymore crept onto my face as I flipped her Daddy the bird behind her back. "I have missed you, Livie girl."

I leaned forward and smacked a big loud kiss on her cheek right before she attempted to blow a raspberry on mine. It came out more like a squeak, making us laugh.

"Livie baby, I think Uncle DD needs to talk business with me. Want to finish your picture for Nonna?"

Olivia wiggled, and I put her down. "Okay, Daddy. Can I give it to her today?"

"Yeah, baby. We'll drop it off on the way home from the stables." He got up and rounded his desk, stopping by my side. GQ ran his fingers over her soft curls. "I'm going to talk to Uncle DD in the lobby."

My favorite six-year-old nodded and climbed back into her chair to color.

A little more of my anger ebbed as I watched him fall more in love with his child. Olivia had brought so much happiness to him and Dominick. Turning to me, he held both his hands up, like he was trying to soothe a caged animal.

And maybe, when it came to Greer Rowan, I was. He brought out feelings I'd tried to bury and memories I wanted to forget. My friends knew minimal details about what happened between us, and that he was my older brother Carter's best friend. So, when I was forced to be around him for work, I remained indifferent. Sometimes it didn't work, and I ended up being an asshole. But every time I dared look at him, I could see the pain in his eyes.

"Hang on a minute, Dare, before you blast me."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "That's pretty low of you to use your daughter as a human shield."

He grinned as he motioned toward the sofa in the lobby. "Maybe, but it worked, and now you're both happier for it. I don't know why you still have so much hostility for Greer."

I gritted my teeth and sat down on the edge of the black leather sofa. I leaned forward with my elbows on my knees as Jesse sat across from me in the wingback chair. He looked over his shoulder to make sure Livie was out of earshot before turning back to me.

My stomach churned, making me wonder if I was about to lose my Nitro Brew. "What the fuck is going on? Why can't Dreamboat take the meeting?"

I looked around, but the fucker obviously wasn't here.

"You know as well as I do, he's not here," he answered coolly. "Plus, Greer asked for you specifically. Said you'd understand the parameters of what he needed, and I didn't argue with him. It wasn't any of my concern. And I know I don't have to tell you what it could mean for our business."

I ran my hands over my thick dark hair and laughed humorlessly. Very few people knew I owned half of EHM Security. And I preferred it that way. "I don't know why the asshole would need personal security. He lives and works in his tower on high."

Jesse shrugged, but I could see the hint of a smile on his face. "Why don't you just ask him? He's a good guy and an honest businessman. And he's easy to look at, too, in case you hadn't noticed."

I glared at him. "He's Carter's best friend. End of story."

A big grin spread across his face. "I doth think the Daredevil protest too much."

The fucker knew I hated Shakespeare, so I shot him the finger again. Of course, he thought that was funny.

"Just take the meeting with him, Dare. All I know is he has some function to go to and needs someone who could run interference. Your blue blood would make it easier for him."

I sighed and smoothed out the wrinkles on my forehead from the perma-scowl I was known for. No amount of LED therapy, hyaluronic acid, or microdermabrasion would hide those valleys. I could hear my mother now.

GQ lowered his voice to the placating tone he used when he pissed off his hot-blooded Italian husband. "Just go talk to him. This might be an opportunity to put your past behind you. We'll talk about it if I'm here when you get back."

My stomach clenched, remembering the humiliation and embarrassment I'd suffered that night. There was no way I would do anything to help that asshole out. But I would do anything for my friend.

"I'm not promising anything. I'll quit before I do anything to protect Mr. High and Mighty."

Jesse grinned. "Kinda hard to quit when you own half the business."

"Fuck you, asshole." I stood and shot him another bird before heading for the door.