“Thanks. I’ll talk to him.”
Jase rode the elevator up to the third floor apartment. He found Kate anxiously pacing back and forth in the living room. The worry on her face reminded him why a relationship would never work.
“Thank God you’re okay,” she said. “I was so worried.”
“I’m fine. Everything went according to plan.” He closed the door. “They’re definitely running women there. I’ll find out more when I go back tonight.”
She frowned. “You’re going back?”
“No choice. We’ve got to figure out what’s going on. The longer it takes, the more likely they are to find us first.”
A knock sounded at the door. Jase pulled the .380 out of his pocket and checked the peephole. He smiled as he repocketed the weapon, opened the door and welcomed Reese Garrett into the apartment.
“That didn’t take long,” he said to Reese.
“Chase called. Sounds like you got trouble.”
“Big trouble. Reese, this is Kate Gallagher. Kate, Reese Garrett.”
“Nice to meet you.” She extended a hand and Reese shook it. With his wavy black hair, blue eyes and Garrett good looks, Reese had females sighing all over Dallas, worse since his divorce. But the Garretts respected another man’s territory. Jase didn’t have to worry about Reese poaching his woman.
He clamped down on the thought. Once this was over, he and Kate would be going their separate ways. Sooner or later, she would find someone else. He looked down, surprised to see his hand balled into a fist.
“My brother gave me the basics,” Reese said. “What can I do to help?”
Kate had seen Reese Garrett’s photo in theDallasMorning Newsmore than once. The Garrett family was worth millions and known for their philanthropy. Articles were always being written about them. Reese was CEO of Garrett Resources, smart and talented, and according to the media, doing an excellent job of running the company.
He was even better looking in person, tall, just a few inches shorter than Jase, built more like Brandon, with a lean, athletic frame.
Jase filled in any holes Chase had left in the story he’d told his brother, and Reese volunteered to stay with Kate while Jase went back to the brothel.
“Wait a minute,” Kate said. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve got a .38 revolver and I know how to pull the trigger. Somebody tries to get in here, they’re going to be very sorry. You’re the one who needs help.”
“Reese can’t go with me,” Jase said. “Hardly fitting for the CEO of Garrett Resources to be caught in a whorehouse.”
Kate looked at Reese. He wore confidence like an expensive shirt. The man was over-the-top good-looking, but it was Jason’s tough good looks, amazing body and protective nature she was drawn to.
“You need backup, Jason,” she said. “Let me go with you. I’ll wait in the car. If you aren’t back by whatever time we set, I’ll call the police.”
“No. Besides, we can’t trust the police.”
“If it’s an anonymous phone call, the cops will show up to see what’s wrong. If you’re in danger, they’ll help.”
“Yeah, and probably take me to jail.”
“Better jail than dead,” Kate said.
“Kate’s right about backup, Hawk. It’s a twenty-minute drive to Bissonnet. Twenty there, twenty back. You could be dead before we even know something’s wrong. I’ll drive the Rover, wait for you outside. You aren’t back, I’ll call 911 and leave before the cops get there. The distraction alone might be enough for you to get out.”
“That’s a good idea,” Kate said. “I’ll go with Reese. You don’t want me here alone, right? I won’t be alone. I’ll be with Reese.”
A deep breath seeped from Jason’s throat. Kate could tell he didn’t like it, but he didn’t have much choice. He looked at Reese. “You sure about this, bro?”
Reese just smiled. “Why not? My life’s been a little dull lately.”
Jase scratched his jaw. “Looks like I’m outnumbered.”
They used the time to work out details. No matter what happened, it was always better to be prepared.
