Hard to Fight

“You and I both know, even with my training, I can’t bring a man Raide’s size in with sheer force.”

“And…?”

“So I have to come up with something else, something … more foolproof.”

Vance sighs again and shifts uncomfortably. “Gracie, you’re stalling.”

“I’m going to seduce him,” I blurt.

Vance’s entire body stiffens, and this time his eyes narrow with— God, is that hurt? It takes me a moment to find my words. “I’m not going to sleep with him, or even kiss him—I’m just going to seduce him enough to get him to agree to a date. Then I’m going to bring him in.”

Vance visibly relaxes.

His reaction bothers me. I’ve accepted that Vance feels something for me, how deep that something goes is another story. I love him as a friend, but he and I—we just won’t work like that. We’re too alike. And besides that, in the profession we’re both in, there’s no way it would work. There’s no way we wouldn’t compete. He would always be that much better than me. Then there’s just the simple fact that Vance isn’t the kind of man I ever pictured myself with. Call me a sucker for the tall, dark, and rugged type.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Vance finally asks. “Seducing him could go horribly wrong, Gracie. What if he’s dangerous and he catches on?”

“I know,” I say softly. “But it’s the only choice I have, and I’ll make sure I keep myself in public places. I need to prove myself, Vance. I have to do this.”

He nods. “There’s no rule that says you can’t do whatever you have to, to bring a criminal in. If that’s how you have to do it, then that’s how you do it, but promise me you’ll be careful, Gracie. I’ve read his profile. He could be dangerous, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

My heart palpitates with mild annoyance. Not because I’m angry with him—I’m not. It’s purely because if I were a man, he’d have no concern for me. He wouldn’t question my ability, and he wouldn’t ask me to be careful. He’d just slap me on the back and wish me luck. I long for a reaction like that.

“I’ve had the same training as you,” I point out gently. “I can do this.”

He puts his hands up. “Not saying you can’t.”

I study his face for a moment and decide to just let it go. This isn’t the time or the place, and I don’t want to upset him by going into further detail about my plan.

I push the bowl of popcorn toward him. “Ready for Rush Hour?”

He puts his hands over his face and groans loudly. I take a handful of popcorn and toss it at him. With a laugh, he drops his hands and catches it before reaching over and pulling me close. I take the remote, kick back in the chair, and flick the television on.

“So … you know Kady wanted to come tonight?” I say casually.

He gives me a look. “I’ve heard about your blind dates, Gracie Lou. There’s no way in hell you’re setting me up on one.”

I snort. “It’s hardly blind—you know Kady.”

“I’ve met her once.”

“Where she fell madly in love with your charm and good looks.”

He laughs low and throaty. “She didn’t seem like the type to go for guys like me. I picked her as going for former frat boys who’ve only just graduated college and who spend too much time manscaping in hopes of getting laid.”

Laughing loudly, I reach out and smack his arm. “There’s nothing wrong with manscaping. Every woman appreciates a well-tended … man garden. I hope you keep yours well groomed.”

He raises an eyebrow. “You want to find out?”

I smack him again in reply.

He gives me a sly smile.

“Anyway, you should come hang out with us one time,” I add.

“I’m sure she’s an awesome chick, but I’m really not interested.”

“She’s hot—”

“Gracie,” he warns.

“Oh, fine!” I huff. “But this isn’t over.”

He throws his arm over my shoulder. “Is for now.”

Very well, then.

For now.

* * *

“I got a big case, Dad,” I announce over the phone later that night.

My dad has always supported me, and I think he’s been waiting as patiently as I have for this day to come along.

“Princess, that’s incredible!” he practically croons over the phone. There are times I think Daddy Dearest has forgotten I’m not five anymore.

“It’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for, but I’m nervous,” I admit.

“Don’t be,” he says. “You’re amazing. You learned from the best, after all.”

I laugh. “Sure, Dad—I mean, how could I not be awesome following in your supercool footsteps?”

He chuckles. “Exactly. Besides, my girl can kick ass.” There we go, he’s remembered I’m all grown up now.

“Damn right I can.”

“So how big are we talking?” I hear the flick of a cigarette lighter.

“Dad, stop smoking. It’ll kill you.”

“Next week, baby.” He says that every week. “Now, tell me about this case,” he prompts.

“Okay, well, it’s a thirty-thousand-dollar one, for starters.”

“Shit,” he breathes. “It is a big one.”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

He scoffs. “Baby, it is.”

I smile, he’s so right. “It is.”

“What’s your plan?”

I flush. I’m hardly about to tell my father how I plan to bring Raide in. “I’m still going over it.”

“Let me give you some tips.”

I spend the next hour listening to Dad’s great tips before ending the phone call and heading off to bed. I have one more day left before the fun starts.

I need my beauty sleep.

Chapter Four

I yawn and stretch as I step out of work the following evening. I’m supposed to be heading over to my parents’ house to see my dad and talk about my new case, but I’m exhausted. I know, however, that if I don’t show, he’ll be disappointed—so with effort, I lift a hand and flag a cab. A loud crack of thunder echoes in the distance, and I know that any moment now, it’s going to rain.

I’m right: just as a cab comes to a stop beside the curb, the clouds open up and rain starts pattering down. I throw myself toward the car, swinging the door open and diving inside before I end up with a messy hair job that is impossible to fix. What I don’t notice on my little dive to protect myself is that someone has already gotten into this cab.

“This is my cab.”

I turn with a squeal, and then my mouth drops open as I see Raide staring at me, arms crossed, amber eyes studying me. He’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a seriously tight gray sweater that does some seriously amazing things to his muscles. I swallow the thick lump that rises in my throat. It should be enough of a crime that he looks like that.

“Ah, I…”

Real classy, Grace.

“Do I know you?”

Say what? He doesn’t remember me. Well, that’s just a big old slap in the face, isn’t it? Because of that comment alone, I lean back in the seat, cross my arms and mutter, “This is my cab.”