Chapter 1

1

Monday Morning after Independence Day

Bobby Michaels drove down Ocean Avenue to the Sunset Club planning to have a serious conversation with Zach Montgomery. Zach was hanging around Bobby’s best friend, Jason Monroe, and Jason didn’t need someone who wasn’t prepared to be around for longer than a nanosecond.

He pulled into the Sunset Club’s parking lot and got out of his five-year-old red Mazda Miata looking around at the building in the daylight. Despite the hordes that showed up every night and spilled outside on line waiting to get into the club with their cigarettes and beer bottles, someone swept and hosed the parking lot, so it appeared pristine. Zach took the time to maintain the club—that said something about him. The Sunset seemed to be closed, but Zach wasn’t with Jason, so Bobbie figured he must be here doing paperwork. He walked up a few steps and knocked sharply on the delivery entrance.

A large man with chestnut brown hair and dark brown eyes that appeared almost black opened the door. He wasn’t Zach. Bobby’s eyes moved up and down his body. He looked ripped, about six-four to Bobby’s five-ten, and dressed in cutoffs and a T-shirt with the club’s logo. The man met Bobby stare for stare.

“I’m looking for Zach. Is he inside?” Bobby asked impatiently, wanting to get the unpleasant chore of warning Zach off finished.

“I’m Keith Anderson. Zach and I are business partners. Who are you and why do you need to speak to Zach?” Bobby narrowed his eyes.

The man came off as menacing, but Bobby was immune to black looks having received them for most of his life from Jason. Bobby would do what he needed to do to protect his friend despite anyone’s lethal gaze including this good-looking asshole’s.

“I’m Bobby Michaels, a friend of Jason Monroe’s and I’d like to talk to Zach. What I’d like to speak to him about is his and my business.” Bobby’s foot twitched as he stood on the raised concrete slab used as a loading dock.

Keith peered at Bobby’s face scrutinizing it for something—Bobby didn’t know what. He seemed to come to some decision because he opened the door and let Bobby inside.

He escorted Bobby into a small office near the kitchen in the back of the building and pointed to the seat in front of the desk. Bobby sat down and waited. Bobby knew how to out wait and intimidate an opponent. Besides being a soccer star, Bobby played an excellent game of chess.

Keith spoke first just as Bobby intended. “Zach isn’t here. He had something he had to do for his sister Gloria today. Now it’s your turn. What do you want with Zach?”

“I asked for Zach, not for you. Why should I explain myself to you?” Bobby asked as he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. With the line of his body, Bobby told Keith that he didn’t scare easily.

Keith seemed to take a deep breath then let it out. He sized up Bobby somewhat belligerently. “You should because I know who you are Bobby Michaels, you’re Jason’s best friend. Well, I’m Zach’s best friend, and I’m wondering what’s going on with my Zach and your Jason.” Bobby glared back.

“Well, I won’t show my cards without seeing some of yours,” Bobby watched Keith’s eyes roll up toward the ceiling.

Keith let out a huff. Looking back at Bobby he said, “I suggest we pool our information.”

Bobby relaxed a bit and leaned back in his chair. This conversation was going to be more interesting than he thought. “That sounds like an excellent idea, you first.” Bobby’s brown eyes blazed with victory.

“Since you knocked on my door—you should go first, but I’m getting bored with the pissing contest and would like to get on to the topic at hand.” Bobby thought Keith wouldn’t give away much, but Bobby would meet him toe-to-toe. A strange expression flitted over Keith’s face.

Seeming as if he came to a decision his hard eyes softened a bit. He had gorgeous black eyes especially now that he’s not glaring.

Keith offered. “Zach has stopped seeing everyone else.” Keith pulled back from the desk as if he needed to put physical distance between Bobby and him, revealing more of his body. Bobby hadn’t noticed earlier because he was preoccupied; but Keith possessed a rock-hard body and under Keith’s T-shirt Bobby spotted hair peeking over the round band of the collar. He was in instant lust. Bobby loved hairy chests.

Bobby’s cock took inventory. He liked what he saw. He pulled his thoughts from traveling in that direction. What did he just say…oh…Bobby’s eyes widened. “That’s surprising—I assumed Zach was a player. He told Jason he didn’t do encores.”

Keith examined Bobby’s eyes and cocked his head, “Zach Montgomery was more than a player. He was a man whore. Notice the word was in that sentence. To my knowledge, Zach hasn’t seen anyone but Jason since the night they met, which makes me suspicious of your Jason. Zach has money, your turn.”

“Jason’s broke, but he has no idea that Zach has money.”

“He owns half the club and has a number of other assets in town.” Bobby bristled, and his leg began to twitch.