Okay, she was miffed that she didn’t rate high enough for an hour of his time.

Kate shook off her grumpiness.

Syon had gotten his eight hours out of her. So it was quitting time.

She picked up her phone and trolled through Facebook and a couple of travel sites to see what the city offered for night entertainment. Surely there was a local hot spot somewhere close with a band or signature dinner dish that she could enjoy.

Her phone chirped. It startled her, but she grinned when she recognized the name of one of her Bay Area clients. His name was Clarence O’Malley, but it was a whole lot safer to call him by his preferred nickname.

“Hello, Conan.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to the Bay Area?”

Kate smiled, feeling ridiculously rescued. “It was last minute. Um…how’d you know?”

“You’re logged into Facebook, with the location app. You’re too cute to have that turned on, you know. Someone like me might use it to stalk you,” Conan said.

“Um…yeah.”

Conan chuckled on the other end of the line. “You doubt my badass-ness?”

Kate laughed and reached back to rub her neck. “Never. Just your level of desperation to resort to stalking. Last time I checked, you had a small harem.”

“Maybe. Get down to the lobby.”

“You’re here?” she asked incredulously.

“Yeah, I drive my ass down to your end of the state because no one can sew leather like you. Just shut up the shop. Let’s grab a cold one and get some chow. Got a couple of guys I’d love to introduce you to. Can’t wait to tell them you were in my pants while you’re sitting close enough for them to see how hot you are.”

And that was why he liked to be called Conan. He claimed to be a barbarian at heart. Which made him just interesting enough to be fun.

“You’re on,” Kate said.

She wasn’t going to hang around waiting for Syon. She’d put in a full day. If she was going to be on tour, she might as well enjoy the sights a little. She could catch up on her sleep on the road.

She swung around and took a moment to run a brush through her hair and apply a fresh coat of lipstick. The elevators were express ones, and a few moments later, she was striding through the polished marble floors of the lobby. Conan had pulled up on a chopper. The doormen were eyeing him as security eased closer.

Not that she blamed them. Conan was rather typical as far as her clients went. His shaved head had a tattooed skull on the back, and his forearms sported more ink. He had a huge, square-cut jaw, and his nose bore the evidence of being broken. When he grinned, one full gold crown winked at the suit-clad security men watching him. The only way he wasn’t typical was in the fact that he ran a very lucrative business. The bodyguards edging in on him would have been surprised to discover themselves dealing with a man who could afford to rent out one of the exclusive penthouse suites. Ripped jeans and all. The guy owned several Armani suits, but needed to be beaten half to death before putting one on.

He revved the chopper and whistled when he spotted her. Kate swung the shoulder strap of her bag over herself, cross body.

She reached out and steadied herself with a hand on his shoulder before lifting her leg to get on behind him. There was a roar as Toxsin pulled into the half-circle drive, taking control of the space completely. Conan turned his head to admire the chrome work on the Harleys. Kate slid her leg along his back.

“What the fuck?” Syon ripped off his shades. “Get the hell off that chopper, Kate!”

She wasn’t completely on the back of the bike yet. Surprise kept her frozen. Syon threw his helmet and launched himself off his Harley.

“Know this dude?” Conan asked her, his attention on Syon. There was a clink as he kicked the stand into place. “His tone says he needs his ass kicked.”

“That’s the only action you’re going to get tonight,” Syon growled.

Conan was off the chopper the second Syon got close. Kate stumbled back as they faced off.

“She’s not worth it.” Ramsey grabbed Syon by the shoulder and tried to pull him back. “If she’d rather be in his pants, let the bitch go.”

“Oh, she’s been in my pants alright…real deep.”

“Conan—” Kate protested.

Syon’s growl cut her off as he took a swing at Conan. People screamed, and paparazzi moved in, their cameras rolling. Conan bared his teeth and launched himself into the fight. Syon snarled and went after him with blood lust on his face.

“Stop it!” Kate skirted around the tail of the chopper and tried to lunge between them. Ramsey turned and hooked her around the waist. He dragged her out of the way and scooped her up when she tried to fight him. She got out only half a sound of protest before he dumped her into someone else’s arms.

“Get her out of here.”

“Wait…”

Taz didn’t pay attention to her. He turned and carried her back up onto the curb.

“Forget this shit.” She kicked her feet up and succeeded in getting one knee loose. She put her leg down and pushed out of Taz’s hold.

Taz snorted and let her stand up. A second later he had her over his shoulder. There was still the sound of flesh hitting flesh behind her. She looked up as Taz hauled her through the front door of the hotel, to the delight of the paparazzi snapping pictures.

“Put me the fuck down!” Kate yelled.

Taz dumped her in an elevator but pushed her back into the corner as he jammed a key card into the slot. He stuck one finger out at her. “You can walk or I’ll carry you.”

“Like hell you will.”

The elevator jerked and started pulling them toward the top floor. “I want out of here. You guys are insane!”

“Yeah, we are.” Taz shrugged.

His nonchalant attitude left her frozen for a moment. It was long enough for them to make it to the penthouse. She dove out the door the second it started opening.

She refused to work for crazy people.

Percy would have to understand.

She was inside her suite before she realized Taz had slid smoothly through the door behind her. She spun around and pointed at the door. “Get out.”

He caught her wrist and jerked her arm around. She popped into position like a rag doll; one moment she was facing him, and the next he had her arm locked up in a martial arts move that made sweat pop out on her forehead. The pain was just enough to keep her from challenging him, because it was going to hurt like hell if she did. He pushed her toward the bed. There was the touch of something smooth against her wrist and a click before he released her.

She looked down and realized he’d handcuffed her to the huge headboard.

“What are you doing?”

He’d retreated a few paces and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Making sure you’re here when Syon wants you. You two need to talk.”

“Fuck what Syon wants.” She snarled and jerked on the handcuffs, but they held. “Unlock these.”

Taz shook his head.

“Are you some kind of idiot?” She jerked on the handcuffs again. “This is illegal.”

“Did you have to take up with someone else so fast?” Taz looked disgusted. “Is this your idea of some sick game?”

“What?” She shook her head, trying to make sense of what he was saying.

“That dude.” Taz pointed out the window. “You cut Syon deep.”

“Wrong.” The door hit the wall as Syon kicked it in. The handle punched right through the drywall with a dull sound. “I don’t give a shit whose pants you’re hopping into.”

“I made his leather pants,” she explained. “Conan’s jerking your chain, dumb ass.”

And Syon had blood trickling down his chin.

It froze her in place. Horror wrenched her gut and left her stuck between breaths. Nothing else mattered at all.

Syon had gone still, his gaze locked with hers, one hand stopping in midswipe on that trickle of blood.

“That makes sense.” Taz sounded surprised. “A lot of sense. ‘She’s been in my pants real deep…’” He started to laugh softly. “That dude totally got you.”