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  Jace closed the door the best he could and raced to his truck. There was only one other person he knew saw Ursula that morning. He turned the wheel and sped toward the marina. He skidded to a dusty stop in the marina’s dirt lot. “Vic!” Jace yelled as he tore through the empty building and out the backdoor leading to the dock where he spotted Vic with a group of men who appeared to be tourists in their Tommy Bahama shorts and Hawaiian shirts. “Vic!”

  The old man left the group and hobbled to meet Jace. “What cha screaming about? I don’t get a visitor for days and suddenly it’s like Penn freakin’ Station around here. Must be a full moon or somethin’.”

  “Did Ursula say where she was going this morning?”

  “She didn’t say much of anything. Like I said before, barely a hi. She prolly went home.”

  Jace shook his head. “She’s not there.”

  “Shit.” Vic narrowed his eyes and rubbed his jaw.

  “What?”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “Damn it, Vic. If you know something, you better spit it out now.”

  “I don’t ask a lot of questions, but I’m not blind either.” He poked Jace in the chest with his finger. “I’m pretty sure you two are tied into some unsavory shit which has nothing to do with fishin’, but I don’t say nothing to nobody.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Some goomba came in here after you left asking about Ursula. I didn’t tell him nothing.” Vic closed his mouth and nodded.

  Jace’s heart pounded. He’d never forgive himself if something happened to her. “Where’d he go?”

  “Don’t know. He walked out and that’s the last I seen him. I remember what he looked like though. Tall and bald. Didn’t see his eyes. Kept his glasses on. And he was driving a fancy car. Black with the windows tinted really dark. Ya don’t see cars like that down here.”

  Jace raced out the door.

  “Hey.”

  He turned back and met Vic’s stare as he stood in the doorway.

  “What the hell’s going on?”

  Vic’s question mirrored Jace’s thoughts. All Jace knew was Max wasn’t dead and Ursula had been offered another job. He couldn’t help but wonder if the two pieces fit together in a fucked-up puzzle. “Your guess is as good as mine,” Jace said before he jumped into his truck and skidded out of the parking lot.

  Chapter Four

  Ursula’s head felt like it was filled with lead as she struggled to lift it from the hot leather upholstery. The squeal of tires rang through her ears as the force of a turn threw her body against the seat. How’d she end up in a vehicle? Her head throbbed as she tried to recall what had happened after she left the marina on foot. Her apartment was only about a mile away and she needed time to think so she welcomed the walk. She remembered falling as she jumped out of the way after a black Jaguar skidded to a stop in front of her. She must’ve been knocked out. She rolled to her side and tried to use her hands to sit up, but they wouldn’t budge from her back. They were bound, as were her feet, leaving her helpless. She blinked, trying to clear her blurry vision, as what felt like a knife stabbed her forehead. She narrowed her eyes and focused on the back of the bald-headed driver. “Who are you?” she croaked.

  His head turned slightly, but he didn’t respond.

  “Hey, I’m talking to you.”

  He tipped his head and dark glasses appeared in the rearview mirror. “I’m aware of that.”

  She spat a slew of questions peppered with swear words which were all met with silence. The car veered into a turn and stopped suddenly. Wordlessly, the man got out, opened the back door, and yanked her to her feet in front of a small house a few feet away. Her eyes widened as he pulled a blade from his pocket, bent down, and cut the rope binding her feet. “Don’t do anything stupid,” he said and gave her a shove toward the front door.

  Ursula took a step forward, pivoted on the ball of her foot and twisted her body, launching her foot directly to his groin. Without the use of her arms for balance, she stumbled backward. He hooked his hand under her knee and pulled upward, sending her flat on her ass. He chuckled, cupped her chin in his hand, and yanked her back to her feet. “That was stupid.” A gun appeared in his hand and he poked the barrel into her ribs. “I’m beginning to rethink my proposition.”

  She raised her brows. “Proposition?” If he thought she’d screw him he’d better be prepared for more than a swift foot to his nuts.

  He unlocked the door and waved her inside. “You don’t recognize me, do you?” he asked as he closed the door.

  “Should I?” Ursula answered as she scanned the dimly lit room.

  “I’d think you’d remember the man you killed yesterday.” He pulled off his sunglasses and met her stare.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You were an accomplice to Max Chantal’s assassination yesterday. Only the poor bastard lying on a cold slab with a toe tag isn’t Max.”

  A cold rush raced through her body. “What makes you so sure of that?”

  He lifted his hands and wiggled his fingers. “Because I’m Max and I’m very much alive.”

  “If that’s true, who’s the dead guy?”

  Max cast his gaze to the floor for a moment. “He was one of my soldiers. Looked just like me except for the hair. Nothing a wig couldn’t fix. He played the part of my double.”

  “And he had no problem walking into his own execution?” she asked, unsure if she believed any of it.

  “He didn’t know about the hit. He thought I was throwing him a bone in the form of you. He was there to fuck your brains out.”

  “But instead, you fucked his.”

  “Not me. I only sent him to the party. You and your friend finished him off.”

  “How do I know you’re not lying?” She hoped he was, but as the pain in her head subsided, everything started to make sense.

  “Think about it. You noticed his hair. I watched the whole thing. You gave him a look when he grabbed your hand away from his head.”

  Shit, he was right. She even mentioned it to Jace. Why hadn’t they picked up on it? She narrowed her eyes. “You ordered the hit to fake your death and sent in a sacrificial lamb in your place. Very manly of you.” Ursula said with a snort. “But it doesn’t explain why I’m here.”

  “You and I are very much the same.”

  “I highly doubt that. You don’t know anything about me.”

  He lifted his brows. “No? I know your name is Ursula Rose Lyons. Up ’til three years ago, you made a living picking pockets and scamming men into giving you anything you wanted. You could charm the pants off most and did so at a price.” She cringed inward at the memories she’d stuffed away. She wasn’t proud of her past, but it was just that, her past. She wondered again what type of proposition he had in mind. Ursula wasn’t about to give her body to this guy. She’d fight to her death before allowing a man to take advantage of her. “I watched you seduce the man you thought was me last night. You’re a master. Or should I say, a mistress.” He stepped behind her and tugged one of her curls. “I like your own hair better than the black wig. But the wig is all part of the illusion, a prop for the seduction act, isn’t it, Black Widow? You’re the best. It’s why you’re here.”

  He’d done his homework and there was no sense in denying the facts. She shook her head. “Bravo. You found me. Now what do you want?”

  “What do you think I want, Ursula?”

  She twisted her throbbing wrists. “If you want to have a proper conversation, the least you can do is untie my hands.”

  Max hesitated, seemingly considering her request before he moved to her side and cut her free. “Don’t do anything stupid or you’ll be in the morgue alongside the poor bastard they think is me,” he said, gesturing to one of the two chairs in the sparsely furnished room.

  She rubbed her wrists and wiggled her fingers as she lowered herself to the chair and
looked for an escape. A couple windows flanked the back of the room but she’d have little chance of going anywhere while he held the gun. She had to keep him talking so she could piece together some sort of plan. “So what do I think you want? You want Jace and me to come work for you. Is that it? If that’s the case, you’re out of luck. We parted ways. He’s probably looking for someone to take my place already.” Or taking her to bed, she figured.

  “This isn’t a package deal. I want to hire you.”

  “Me? To do what?”

  “The same thing you did for Jace. I want you to be my Black Widow. I need an expert seducer who can lure men into her web and get them where I need them. I’ll tell you who and where, you’ll get them there, I’ll do the rest.”

  “What’s in it for me?”

  “Other than your life?” He chuckled. “You’ll get a penthouse in Manhattan, an expense account, and a generous salary. Basically, everything you’ve ever wanted.”

  She shook her head. Three years ago, maybe. Now, the only thing she wanted was what she couldn’t have. “And if I don’t take the deal?”

  Max’s fingers traced the barrel of his gun. “I think you know the answer. I can’t just let you walk.” He tilted his head. “You or your boyfriend.”

  “Who? Jace? What does he have to do with it?”

  “He knows too much. Whether you take the job or not, Jace has to go. Once he figures out the man he shot wasn’t me and I’m still alive, he’ll want to settle the score. When he finds out I have you, nothing will stop him. That’s how men like Jace work.”

  A shiver ran up her spine. If Jace doesn’t realize she’s gone—and why would he, she ended their relationship—Max would take him by surprise. Her mind raced. “Why kill him? He’s the best hitman out there. Why not offer him the deal, too?”

  “Men like Jace don’t follow the pack. They’re too smart. He’s a lone wolf. I can’t trust him.”

  He was correct about Jace. She still needed to come up with another plan to protect him. Ursula’s gaze tipped from Max’s eyes to the gun resting in his lap as an idea formed. It was risky, but she had no choice. “You have a deal. Under one condition.”

  Max chuckled. “You’re not exactly in the position to demand conditions, but humor me anyway.”

  She leaned forward. “I want Jace to be my first assignment.”

  “I don’t think so,” he answered evenly.

  “The way I see it, you don’t have a choice. When he discovers I’m missing and you’re alive, you’ll never find him. But guess what? He’ll find you. And when he does you’re as good as dead, Max.” She caught a flicker of fear in his eyes. “You need me to bring him to you.”

  Max was silent for a long moment. “Why do you want to do this?” he finally asked.

  She lifted her brows. “Revenge. He broke my heart—this is my chance to settle the score.”

  Chapter Five

  Jace explored what seemed to be every street of Baton Rouge looking for the black sedan, but his search came back as empty as his gas tank. He stopped at the marina in hopes Vic heard something. “You need to get yourself a cell phone, man. I’m not your secretary,” Vic said as Jace pushed through the screen door. “Ursula called. She said she needs to talk to you and to meet her at this address.” He pushed a pad of paper across the counter as his attention moved to the television. “The guy who got popped in New Orleans wasn’t that mobster after all, just someone who looked like him.”

  Jace watched a few seconds of the report which confirmed his fear. Max had set him up and he wondered how much Ursula knew. The fact she’d found another job was like a smack across the face and Jace couldn’t help but wonder if Max was her new employer. Was she setting a Black Widow web to lure Jace to his death? Or was Ursula in danger? Either way, he’d never leave his partner hanging. He was too late to help his first partner and he prayed history wasn’t about to repeat itself. Jace ripped the page off and read the address. “Did she say anything else?”

  “Yeah. Something strange. When she gave me the address she said the street is near the place where she used to take piccolo lessons. That make sense to you?”

  Ursula’s veiled message tugged a smile at Jace’s lips. “Music to my ears, Vic.” He pocketed the address and headed for the door.

  Jace stopped at his bungalow before racing to the address scrawled on the scrap of paper. He hoped he wasn’t too late. Cutting the engine as he rolled into the driveway, he spotted a black Jaguar parked near the front door. He slid his revolver from the holster, palming the cool metal as he crept along the perimeter of the house. The window shades were drawn and no sounds came from within. He stepped to the side door and it opened freely. No surprise there. He was an expected guest. He stepped inside the kitchen with his gun drawn to his shoulder. “Ursula!” His voice carried through the house. He stepped into a large room devoid of furniture except for two chairs in the center of the floor. “Show yourself, Chantal. This is your party.”

  A muffled whimper sounded. “Ursula?” He crossed the room as Ursula shuffled from the hallway, wrapped in the arms of the bald man Vic described. Her clear eyes narrowed, sending Jace a silent message even with the barrel of a pistol held to her cheek. She flinched when Max groped her breast through her shirt. An angry fire licked at the pit of Jace’s stomach as he assessed his chance of burying a bullet in Max’s head from where he stood.

  As though Max read Jace’s next move, he pulled Ursula closer. “Drop the gun!” he yelled.

  “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you my gun if you let her go,” Jace countered, his voice low and even.

  “I’m not in the mood for deals. I’ll tell you one more time. Drop the gun,” Max barked.

  “This is our battle. She has nothing to do with it,” he said as he steadied his gun at Max’s forehead.

  “She has everything to do with it because we both want her, don’t we? You may pretend you don’t. You were stupid enough to give her up. Look at you. You can’t stand to watch me touch her.” He squeezed her breast again. “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.” Ursula winced as Max’s hand traveled down her body and slid into the waistband of her shorts.

  “Get your fucking hands off her,” Jace spat as rage boiled up his throat.

  “Make me,” Max challenged and pointed his gun at Jace.

  “He’s trying to goad you, Jace. Don’t listen to him,” Ursula cried.

  Max grabbed her waist and yanked her against his body. “Just as I thought. You’re on his side.” He laughed. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to turn on your boyfriend.” His hand traveled from her waist to her chin and cupped her face in his palm. “Your consolation prize for failing my test is watching him die.” Max turned the gun on Jace and fired two bullets into his chest.

  “No!” Ursula’s scream filled Jace’s ears as the force of the shots sent him stumbling backwards, his pistol skidded across the floor coming to a stop in the corner. The room spun as Jace grabbed his chest and fell to the ground.

  With his arm still around Ursula, Max retrieved the gun before shoving her toward Jace’s crumpled form. She knelt by his side, placing her hands on his chest, she bowed her head to his. “Jace,” she pleaded.

  The ends of her hair skated over his face. “The piccolo,” he whispered into her ear.

  Their eyes met under the veil of curls. Ursula threw him an understanding glance before turning to Max. “You didn’t have to shoot him. I told you I’d work for you.” Seated on the floor, Ursula positioned herself in front of Jace, near his legs. She reached back, placing her hands protectively on his body. “He didn’t have to die.” Her palm crept down his leg to the hem of his pants. Her fingers slid inside.

  “There’s only room for loyalty in my organization. The only loyalty you proved today is that for your ex-partner. Correction. Your dead ex-partner, and you’re about to join him.” Max took a step forward as Ursula’s hand curled around Jace’s semi-automatic pistol he’d concealed in his ankle holster.


  “Screw off, Max,” she said, drawing the gun from its hiding spot and pumping four bullets into Max’s chest, causing him to fall to the floor in a heap of bloodied flesh and clothes.

  “Jace.” She turned as Jace pulled himself up to a sitting position and shrugged his jacket from his shoulders. She smiled as his fingers found the two bullet holes in his shirt over the bullet proof vest. “Vic told you. I wasn’t sure he would.” She helped him pull his shirt and vest over his head.

  “Glad this thing actually worked. First time I needed it.” He said, examining the bullets lodged into the material.

  “Guess you actually do need someone,” Ursula said.

  Jace stood and tucked his jacket under his arm. He took her hand in his and helped her to her feet. “Let’s get out of here,” he said with a final glance at Max’s bloodied body.

  He draped his arm around her shoulder as they strode from the house. She reached for the door handle of his truck and he grabbed her hand, swiveled her around so her back leaned against the door. She searched his eyes. “What?”

  Heat, anger, pain, and passion bubbled to the surface, but he couldn’t find the words. He’d spent years snuffing out any flicker of emotion. He didn’t know what to do with it all. His lips crashed down on her waiting mouth, pulling her into his arms. Her throaty sigh caressed his tongue and he was convinced he was as close to heaven as he’d ever be allowed. Regaining control, Jace raked his hands up her arms and untangled her grasp from his neck. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Six

  Between Ursula’s busted door and his inability to remember the last time he changed the sheets at his house, he steered to the only other place that could offer privacy. Her fingers teased the hairs of his arm, driving his need as he tried to stay on the road and reach the marina in record speed. Jace helped her from the truck and trailed his hand down her back as they headed toward the dock.

  “I see our pretty lady is back,” a gruff voice called.

  Jace groaned and closed his eyes. Ursula squeezed his hand as they turned around. “Vic! You’re my hero.” Ursula ran to the old man, pressing a kiss on his cheek.