It was early, and the sun still hung low as it streamed through the trees, casting shadows on the grass. Standing outside, I watched a wild turkey walk through the backyard as I sipped on a cup of coffee and thought about my day.

I went through a checklist of shit I needed to get accomplished. The top of my list: Race True.

It had been a week since our last meeting. I wanted to let her know that I had made headway in her case. I’d e-mailed her last night asking her to meet me tonight.

There were a few assumptions I’d made about Race during our two interactions. She didn’t like to be bossed around, but I wondered if there was ever a time she gave up her control.

Race acted like she didn’t like me much, but I could tell that she did. I’d caught her more times than I could count checking me out.

No matter what came out of her mouth, I knew that her attraction to me was as great as mine was to her.

She was strong, independent, and self-assured, but there was more to her. Something sweet and kind that had been tamped down over time was hidden under the surface.

Something inside me wanted to find out.

Plus, I needed a little fun. I lived in the sticks, and there wasn’t a damn thing to do around here. The last thing I wanted to do tonight was sit by the fire and watch the stars pass overhead again.

I figured I’d meet with Race and see where the night took us. I wanted to dig deeper and find out what made her tick.

My phone chimed as I dumped my coffee into the sink, ready to start the day.

Race: I’ll be there at 5 sharp. Don’t keep me waiting.

I stared at the screen. I’d been waiting since I’d seen her a week ago. The real Race True would reveal herself tonight.

As I climbed into my car, I replied.

Me: Change of plans. Meet me at the Fly Bar around 5. I’ll be waiting for you.

I tossed my phone on the passenger’s seat, revved the engine, and turned the radio up before I pulled away.

I could tell that this was going to be a kickass day and the best way to start the weekend.

* * *

Thomas tossed a file onto his desk and sighed. “We need to hire someone else,” he told James, avoiding eye contact.

James nodded, collapsing on the couch. “You’re right. Any ideas who?”

“I don’t know,” Thomas said, dragging his hands through his hair.

“Morgan, you know anyone?” James asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know anyone around here.”

“The only person I can think of is…” Thomas started, rubbing his chin.

“Don’t,” James warned, waving him off.

Thomas slapped the desk, glaring at James. “Come on, man. So much time has passed. She’s your wife now, for shit’s sake.”

“You know I don’t like him, Thomas.” James wrinkled his nose.

“James, get the fuck over it already. Sam and Izzy are only friends. She’s in love with you, and Sam has a woman.”

“How do you know?” James asked as he sat up.

Thomas kicked his feet up on the desk and reclined in his chair. “We’ve been in contact.”

I looked between them both as they stared each other down. “Um, who the fuck is Sam?”

Thomas glanced at me. “Izzy’s friend,” he replied.

“Her old fuck buddy,” James said, curling his lip.

“Oh.” My mouth fell open.

“I’ll never forgive him for putting her in danger, Thomas.”

Thomas nodded, placing his hands behind his head. “I know, but we wouldn’t have been able to save Angel and Izzy without him.”

“We wouldn’t have had to rescue Izzy if it weren’t for his dumb ass.”

Thomas glared at James. “You wouldn’t be married to Izzy if it weren’t for his mistake.”

A small smile crept across James’s face as he puffed his chest out. “True,” he said as his cheeks filled before he blew out a long breath. “I hadn’t thought about it that way.”

“Stop being such an asshole all the time. Sam has the qualifications, and from what I can tell from his e-mails, he’s not enjoying life in the Big Easy that much,” Thomas said, rocking back and forth as he stared at the ceiling.

I glanced down at my watch. I had one hour until I had to meet Race. The minutes seemed to slow the later in the day it became.

“You said he’s found a woman?” James asked with a wrinkled brow.

“Yeah. He said he’s never been so in love. Her name’s Fiona, and she’s a nurse in the city.”

“Hmm,” James muttered. “Good to know he’s moved on.”

“Are you threatened by him? Think Izzy would leave you for him?” Thomas teased.

“No. Izzy loves me. She knows I’d never let her go without a fight.”

Thomas glanced at him, giving him the evil eye. “If my sister wanted to leave you, I’d make sure she got her way. Remember, I’ll always take my sister’s side.”

“You know I would never hurt her. I love the woman.”

“I’m just sayin’. I love you like a brother, but she’ll always be my sister.”

“Thomas,” James said, throwing a ball of paper at him. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“So, are we okay with Sam?” Thomas asked, his face softening.

“If you think we need him.” James sighed.

I pulled another file from the stack, ignoring their conversation. Maybe a little work would make the minutes tick by quicker.

“We do. He’ll be a great addition to the team. Trust me. He’s over Izzy.”

“If you say so. I think Sam and I will have a little chat,” James said, balling up another piece of paper.

“I’m sure everyone will want to have a little talk with him.”

“You know that everyone may have a coronary if you invite him to be part of this business.”

Thomas shook his head, rolling his eyes much like Izzy often did. “Dude, they’ll get the fuck over it just like you.”

James laughed. “Yeah. I’m sure they will,” he said, tossing the paper ball in the air and catching it again. “Make the call and see if you can get him back here, then.”

“I’ll call him over the weekend. I told Angel I’d take her to dinner tonight. We’re making Friday our date night.”

“Aww, that’s so sweet it makes my teeth hurt,” James teased, smirking at Thomas.

“What are you doing tonight?” Thomas asked him, changing the subject. “Izzy is probably dying to go out.”

“Oh, we have plans. We’re hitting the club tonight.”

I looked up and caught Thomas glaring at James with his lips set in a firm line.

“James,” Thomas said, sitting upright in the chair as his body grew rigid. “I told you I don’t want to know a damn thing about it. Didn’t I make myself clear?”

“Sometimes it sucks being married to your sister. I can never share the good stuff with you,” James complained with a pained expression.

“You better not be sharing the good stuff with anyone,” Thomas replied, not taking his eyes off James.

“What club?” I asked, interrupting their conversation.

Maybe I could get Race to head over there after the bar tonight. I’d love to see if she could dance. I hadn’t been to a nightclub since I was too young to drink.

I missed so much shit from having been away for eight years.

“It’s not your type of club,” Thomas said as his eyes slowly moved to mine.

“What type of club is it?”

James chuckled. “It’s not a nightclub.”

“A strip club?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nope,” James said in a clipped tone.

“I’m lost. Swingers club?” I asked, turning around to face him fully. “Tell me you don’t have my cousin sleeping with random dudes?”

“I’d never let anyone touch her but me,” James said, glancing at me before glaring at Thomas.

“Then what? Can someone clue me the fuck in?”

James laughed louder. “Why don’t I walk you out and I’ll tell you. Thomas gets kinda testy when I talk about it.” James rolled off the couch, climbing to his feet.

“Sure, man.”

“Fucker,” Thomas hissed.

“Dude, get the fuck over it, as you said earlier.” James grinned, walking toward the door.

Thomas glared at James’s back as his nostrils flared. “Have a good meeting, Morgan.”

I stood, rubbing the back of my neck. They had such an interesting relationship.

“I’ll see you on Sunday?” I asked.

Thomas glanced at me, finally cracking a smile. “Yeah.”

“Good. I better run before I’m late.”

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” he said as he waved me away.

“Sounds like I want to do whatever James is doing,” I replied, seeing the smile drop from his face.

When I turned around, James laughed, holding his stomach. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

“He was too damn serious.” I wondered if Thomas was about to march out of the office and smack me upside the head. “So, where are you headed tonight?”

“Well,” he said as we started to walk down the hallway, glancing over his shoulder, “it’s a BDSM club.”

My mouth fell open.

Oh my God. My little cousin was into that stuff?

“Like chains and whips?” I asked, trying to pick my jaw up off the floor.

James laughed harder, shaking his head as he slapped me on the back. “Something like that. It’s more about dominance and submission.”

“Izzy bosses you around a lot?” I asked, finally getting it.

“No, young man.” James’s face turned very serious. “I boss her around.”

“But I thought…”

James grinned. “I’m the dominant in that relationship.”

“Izzy is so bossy though,” I whispered, gawking at him.

“She acts out all the time. I think she does it on purpose just so I’ll punish her.”

I swallowed hard, trying to wipe that mental image from my mind. “I don’t want to know,” I said, fully understanding why Thomas didn’t want to hear about it. “She’s my little cousin, man.”

“Not into it?” he asked as we walked into the reception area.

“I never said that. I just don’t want to hear about you and Izzy there though,” I said as I nodded at Angel.

“James, are you and Izzy going to the place that shall not be named?” she teased, standing from her desk and walking over to us with a playful smile.

“Yeah, Angel. Tonight’s our night out.”

“Lucky bitch.” Angel laughed. “Mention that in front of Thomas?” She chewed her lip, peering down the hallway.

“I may have.”

“Fuck,” she said, shaking her head. “Now he’s going to be all pissy.”

James bent down and kissed her cheek. “I’m sure you can put a smile back on his face, darling.”

“True.” She practically skipped toward his office.

“If you ever want to go there, just let me know. I can introduce you to a bunch of people. I’m sure you’d be a big hit there,” James offered.

“I don’t know much about it,” I said, but I couldn’t say that my interest wasn’t piqued.

“I can teach you the ropes.”

“You know there’s so much shit I can say with all the double meaning I’m getting from you.” I shook my head.

“I know. Just think about it.”

“I will,” I said as I pushed the front door open. “Catch ya Sunday, man.”

“Have a good night,” he said as he stood in the lobby, his chest inflated and his feet shoulder-width apart, a smug smirk on his face.

“Not as good as you, I’m sure,” I replied as the door swung closed behind me.

If I went any longer without a little excitement, I might have to take James up on his offer.

Life was getting dull.