Deep Cover by Kimberly Van Meter Page A

Capri is a friend of mine. She said you’re supercute.”
    “Did she?”
    “But I have dibs,” Carly said with a wink before melting into the crowd.
    Angelo appeared from the back and Shaine asked if he knew about the warehouse.
    “Yeah, it’s a place where the college kids end up when they want to rave. It’s usually an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. Pretty wild. Usually everyone’s high on Bliss or Molly. Great place to go if you want to get laid. Nearly everyone is down for some action.”
    He tried not to react, but asked with natural curiosity, “Bliss? What’s that?”
    “You’ve never tried Bliss? Oh, buddy, you’re in for a treat. It’s the best high there is. No pain, only gain.”
    “Sounds too good to be true. Does my dick fall off or something?”
    “Only from overuse,” Angelo wisecracked and Shaine grinned. “You in? I was planning to make a pit stop. See who’s kicking it.”
    “Sounds like a cool place. You sure the cops ain’t gonna bust it up? I can’t afford a run-in. I already have a strike.”
    “Naw, you’re good. Nothing to worry about.”
    Angelo didn’t elaborate, nor did he share how he knew that the cops would leave them alone, but that made Shaine believe that whoever was on the take within the police department was probably on shift to help divert any calls.
    “You in, brother?”
    “Hell yes. I need to blow off some steam. Am I supposed to bring anything?”
    “Just cash and your appetite for destruction and mayhem.”
    “Sounds like my kind of party.”
    Angelo grinned and drifted toward the end of the bar, leaving Shaine to process what’d just happened.
    He knew Victoria and Marcus were listening on the other end, thanks to the discreet wire that looked like a diamond stud earring in his left ear.
    Capri appeared with Poppy in tow, her perennially bubbly personality almost too sweet to handle.
    “Laci, you have to meet Rocco. He’s the cutest bartender ever,” Capri gushed, winking at Shaine. “I’ve been telling Laci all about you.”
    “Flattered,” Shaine replied with a casual flick of his gaze toward Poppy. It was imperative that no one suspected that they knew each other. He returned to Capri. “What kind of trouble are you up to tonight?”
    “I don’t find trouble, trouble finds me,” Capri returned with a little-girl playfulness that was entirely too convincing. He shared Poppy’s belief that Capri was younger than she claimed to be. “But tonight I’m heading to the warehouse. You coming? It’s going to be epic.”
    “So I heard.”
    “What’s the warehouse?” Poppy asked. “Is it another bar?”
    “Nope. Invitation only, hottest party in town. And the best part is, the location changes to keep out the people who don’t belong,” Capri said.
    That tidbit of information seemed useful. “Sounds like a bitch to coordinate,” Shaine said.
    Capri shrugged as if she never thought about the logistics, nor did she care. Curling her arm around Poppy’s she begged, “Please say you’ll come. It’s so much fun.”
    “Yeah, why don’t you come?” Shaine added with a predatory grin as if he liked what he saw.
    Capri giggled. “See? Even the new guy thinks you ought to come.”
    Poppy laughed, playing along. “And if I do...”
    Shaine’s smile curved with promise. “You’ll just have to show up and find out.”
    An undercurrent of something real flickered dangerously between them. Shaine’s pulse raced as his breathing quickened.
    “If you two hook up, can I watch? You guys are hot,” Capri said, laughing. “Okay, it’s settled. You’re coming, right?”
    “Sure,” Poppy said with a flirty smile at Shaine. “I’m down.”
    “Perfect,” Capri exclaimed, bouncing on her toes a little. “Okay, I have to get ready for my set. I’ll see you after. We can ride together.”
    Shaine shared a final look with Poppy and then walked away with a small wave, as if he were hooked.
    Of course, he didn’t like the