Four of a Kind: Kind Brothers Series Book 4 Read online

“What did he say?”

  “Another four weeks.”

  “Shit, man. I’m sorry.”

  “You have my back, right?” I asked him.

  “Of course, I do. Anything you need, you call me.”

  “Thanks.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.

  I walked out of the station, climbed in my car, and scoured the hangouts where my CI usually hung out.

  “Where is he, Vinnie?” I hastily walked over to him and grabbed him by his shirt.

  “Damn, Kind. No need for violence. I heard what happened.”

  “Where the fuck is he hiding?” My grip on his shirt tightened.

  “Okay. Okay.” He put his hands up. “Shit. You know they’ll kill me if they see me talking to you. You just can’t come at me in broad daylight like this, bro.”

  “Don’t you know me by now, Vinnie? Now tell me where he’s hiding.”

  “I already told that partner of yours I don’t know.”

  “Bullshit, Vinnie!” I grabbed his shirt.

  His head turned from side to side making sure none of his crew was around.

  “Fine. He’s held up in an abandoned warehouse over in South Park. Sometimes, I bring him food and shit. He knows the cops are after him for shooting you, so he was told to lay low.”

  “Which warehouse?”

  As soon as he told me, I let go of his shirt.

  “Thank you. I don’t understand why you have to make things so difficult. You agreed to give me information.”

  “Only because you’re keeping me out of jail.”

  “And I will continue to do that as long as you cooperate.”

  “Yeah. Yeah.” He smoothed out his shirt. “Next time, call me first so we can meet somewhere more private. You know they’ll kill me, Simon.”

  “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” I smirked as I tapped the side of his head.

  “You better hope the hot chick didn’t get to him first,” he said as I walked away.

  Stopping in my tracks, I turned around and furrowed my brows at him.

  “What are you talking about? Who?”

  “I don’t know who she was, but she wanted to know where Cody was.”

  “Did you tell her?”

  “I had no choice, man. She shoved me against the wall and almost broke my arm. I’ve never seen her before in my life.”

  “But yet you weren’t going to tell me?” I balled my fist as I started walking towards him.

  “I was just playing with you, Simon.” He put his hands up. “I swear.”

  I shook my head and headed to my car.

  When I pulled up to the warehouse, I saw a shadow black Mustang Shelby GT parked on the side.

  “Shit.”

  Before climbing out of my car, I grabbed my gun and walked around the back of the building. The back door was ajar, so I quietly slipped in.

  CHAPTER 3

  Grace

  Pulling up to the warehouse, I climbed out of my car and placed my hand on the gun that was secured in my holster. I quietly snuck around the back. If he was in there, he knew I was coming because he would have heard me pull up. Picking the lock on the back door, I carefully opened it and stepped inside. The clicking of my heels against the concrete made it impossible to keep quiet. But I didn’t care. I wanted him to know I was coming.

  “Who’s there?” I heard him shout in the distance as the cocking of his gun made me sigh.

  Grabbing my gun from the holster, I held it firmly in my hands as I hid behind a tall steel beam. That’s when I felt the tip of his gun touch the back of my head.

  “Drop it, bitch, and slowly turn around.”

  Rolling my eyes, I carefully bent down, placed my weapon on the ground, and slowly turned to face him. He kicked the gun away and then stood there with a smile on his face as his gun pointed directly at my forehead.

  “Who the hell are you?” His eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. You’re that cop from New York.”

  “You tried to kill me.”

  “You had it coming. That’s what happens when you meddle in our affairs. No one gets out alive. Now it looks like I can finish the job.” A smug look crossed his face.

  “Yeah. I don’t think so.” I scrunched my face before I wrapped both my hands around his wrist and ducked as the gun went off.

  After striking him in the balls, I grabbed his gun and threw it across the warehouse before striking him again. He tried to fight back but I escaped every punch and kick he threw at me. As badly as I wanted to kill him, I needed information first.

  “You bitch!” he screamed as I heard the cracking of his arm and he fell to his knees. One swift kick in the jaw and he was down, moaning in pain. Grabbing my gun from the floor, I pressed my heel into his abdomen to keep him down as I pointed it at him.

  “Where is Victor Ives?”

  “I don’t know. I swear I don’t. He never tells us his location,” he mumbled. “We’ve never even met him.”

  “LAPD, drop your weapon!” I heard a voice from behind.

  * * *

  Simon

  “You have got to be kidding me,” she said.

  “Slowly place your weapon on the ground and kick it across the floor.”

  She did as I asked.

  “With your hands up, slowly step away from him and turn around.”

  When she turned around, her beauty paralyzed me.

  “Who are you?” I asked.

  “Can you please stop pointing your gun at me? I’m only here to get some information from this scumbag.”

  I looked down at Cody who was barely conscious. His face was full of blood, and he was gripping his arm.

  “Did you break his arm?”

  “Yeah. I did. He had a gun pointed at my forehead.”

  “It looks like you broke his jaw too.”

  “He kept calling me a bitch.” Her brow arched. “Can you put your gun away? I’m not a threat to you. I just need to know where his boss is hiding.”

  “Who are you and what do you want with Victor Ives?”

  “Tell me who you are first.”

  “Detective Simon Kind, LAPD.”

  “Detective Grace Adams, NYPD.”

  “You’re a long way from home, detective. You don’t have jurisdiction here.”

  She cocked her head as a beautiful smile graced her face.

  “It’s personal, detective. Why are you after him?”

  I lowered my gun and put it back in my pocket.

  “He shot me a month ago. So, right now, it’s personal for me too.”

  “I’m sorry. If you want to finish him off, go right ahead.” She gestured with her hand.

  “I think you did a pretty good job.” I let out a sigh as I looked down at Cody who was now lying there unconscious.

  “I’m on medical leave so I can’t call this in.”

  “Can’t I just put a bullet in him? Please.” Her lips formed a pout.

  “No. You cannot. Is that his gun over there?” I pointed.

  “Yeah.”

  “Wipe it clean, and let’s get out of here. As far as I’m concerned neither of us were here. Are you hungry?”

  “A little.”

  “Let’s go grab some lunch and talk. Meet me at Four Kinds in Venice Beach. My brother owns the place, and we can talk there in private.”

  She pulled her phone from her pocket.

  “Address?” she asked.

  I rattled it off as we both walked out of the warehouse.

  “I have someone who will call this in, and I’ll meet you at the restaurant. Don’t ditch me either.” I pointed at her as she opened her car door.

  “Are you buying?” She grinned.

  “Yeah. I’m buying.”

  “Then I won’t ditch you. I never turn down a free meal.” She climbed in her car and shut the door.

  I let out a chuckle as I pulled out my phone and dialed Vinnie.

  “What now, Kind?” he answered.

  “Your boy is down and needs medi
cal attention. Call 911 and give them the address to the warehouse.”

  “What the fuck did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything. The hot chick did. Call it in. I’ll be in touch.” I ended the call.

  I climbed in my car and pulled away. Damn. Sexy wasn’t a word that did her justice. Her five-foot-eight lean and ripped body caught my attention very quickly, as did her long dark hair, beautiful green eyes, and full lips that would look amazing wrapped around my cock. She was a very desirable woman, and what she did to Cody was unbelievable. I needed to find out everything I could about her, and I’d give her the chance to tell me over lunch. If I felt she was holding anything back, or lying, I’d investigate Detective Grace Adams myself.

  CHAPTER 4

  Grace

  His voice from behind was sexy, but when I turned around, my eyes didn’t prepare me for what I’d seen. Six foot three inches, short dark hair, hypnotic blue eyes, a neatly trimmed dark beard that sat upon his masculine jawline, and a thin well-kept mustache above his full lips. My eyes mainly stayed focused on his, but they sure noticed his ripped and fit body. I was always a sucker for a man with defined muscles.

  I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and Simon pulled into the space next to me. Grabbing my purse, I climbed out.

  “By the way, nice car.” A smile crossed his lips.

  “Thanks, it’s a rental.”

  “Shall we?” He gestured with his hand.

  When we stepped inside, he led me over to a booth in the corner. A young woman followed us and set two menus down on the table.

  “Thanks, Kara.”

  “You’re welcome, Simon. Do you want me to let Sebastian know you’re here?”

  “He’s here? I thought he was at the other restaurant today?”

  “He sent Marco over there.”

  “You might as well. He’s going to see me anyway.”

  “I take it Sebastian is your brother?” I spoke.

  “Yeah. He’s one of my brothers.”

  “How many do you have?”

  “Three. We’re quadruplets.”

  “Seriously?” I cocked my head. “I’ve never met anyone who was a quadruplet before.”

  “A lot of people haven’t.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.

  “Hey, bro. Well, hello there.” A handsome man smiled when we walked over.

  “This is my brother, Sebastian. Sebastian, meet Detective Grace Adams of the NYPD.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand to me.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Sebastian.” I placed my hand in his. “You have a beautiful restaurant.”

  “Thank you. Did you two order yet?”

  “No. Do you know what you want, or do you need some more time?”

  “Nope.” I grinned. “I’ll have the lobster roll with the sweet potato fries.”

  “Same for me, bro.”

  “Great. I’ll get that ready for you. Beer, wine, cocktail?” Sebastian glanced at me.

  “Gin and tonic. It’s five o’clock somewhere in the world.” I smiled.

  “Beer for me,” Simon said as he gripped his shoulder.

  “Is that where you got shot?”

  “Yeah. Four weeks out and it still hurts like a bitch.”

  “It’s going to take time.”

  “Yeah. Well, I’m not a very patient guy. How are you involved with Ives and his crew?”

  “Probably the same reason you are. Illegal gun sales, drugs, murder, sex trafficking.”

  “I know nothing about the NYPD working with the LAPD on this.” His eye steadily narrowed at me.

  Sebastian walked over and set our food in front of us.

  “Thank you, Sebastian. They’re not. But I am.” I looked at Simon as I picked up my lobster roll.

  “By yourself?”

  “Yeah.” I slowly nodded and then took a bite.

  “Does your captain know?”

  “Nope.” I shook my head. “She thinks I’m in Cabo.”

  “So, you came here to take down the syndicate yourself?” His brow raised.

  “Pretty much. Anyway, you seem to be working solo. You’re on medical leave, yet you showed up at the warehouse by yourself. Does your captain know?” I cocked my head as I picked up a sweet potato fry.

  “Well…”

  “I take that as a no. So, how are you any different?”

  “The difference is I’m a cop here. You’re not. You’re like a civilian—”

  “Finish that sentence, Detective Kind, and I can’t be responsible for what I might do to you.”

  He let out a chuckle. “You can’t do that, and you can’t say shit like that. Especially to me.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because it’s hot and it turns me on. So, just stop.”

  I sat there for a moment and narrowed my eyes at him before a smile crossed my lips.

  “Fair enough. But I’m not leaving L.A. until I get every one of them.”

  CHAPTER 5

  Simon

  During our conversation, my phone kept blowing up. When I pulled it from my pocket, I had several text messages from my two brothers in our group chat.

  “Bro, who’s the hot chick?” Stefan texted.

  “Sebastian said she’s a detective from New York. Why is she here?” Sam asked.

  “Where did you find her?” Stefan again.

  “Are we interrupting something?” Sam asked.

  “Lunch at the restaurant?. You wanted us to know.” Stefan said.

  “Knock it off, bros! I’ll talk to you all later tonight. My house at seven o’clock.”

  “So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” I asked Grace.

  My phone rang and when I looked over at it, I saw Roman was calling.

  “Hold on.” I held my finger up to Grace. “Hey, Roman.”

  “Hey. Our boy Cody was found.”

  “Really? Where?”

  “In a warehouse in South Park. He was badly beaten. His arm is broken and so is his jaw. He’s in the hospital and he’s still unconscious. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

  “No. How would I know? And even if I did find him, I couldn’t have done that to him with my shoulder. Someone else got to him.” My eyes diverted to Grace.

  “We’re just waiting for him to wake up to question him.”

  “Okay. Let me know.”

  “I will, partner. Talk to you later.”

  I set down my phone and sighed.

  “Your partner?” Grace asked.

  “Yeah. Cody is still unconscious. You didn’t answer my question. Where are you staying?”

  “Days Inn. Anyway, thanks for lunch. I need to get going.”

  “You’re welcome. Hand me your phone.” I held out my hand, palm facing up.

  “Why?”

  “I’m going to put in my number. I want you to have it if you need anything.”

  She took her phone from her purse and handed it to me. After I put in my number, I sent myself a text message. When my phone lit up, she glanced over at it and then looked back at me as I sat there with a smile on my face.

  “I can’t believe I fell for that.” She shook her head.

  “Will you promise me something?” I asked her.

  “What?”

  “If you find out anything, I need you to call me. Promise?”

  “Yeah. I’ll call you.”

  She slid out of the booth, and I walked her to the door.

  “Be careful, Grace,” I spoke with a serious tone.

  “You don’t have to worry about me, detective. I can take care of myself.”

  “I have no doubt you can but promise me you’ll still be careful.”

  “I will.” A small smile crossed her lips.

  As soon as she walked out, I went to the kitchen to say goodbye to Sebastian.

  “I’m heading out, bro. Thanks for lunch. By the way, be at my house tonight at seven. Brin
g the food.”

  “Hold on a second. What’s going on with that woman?”

  “We’ll talk later. I have to go.”

  * * *

  I thought about Grace the rest of the day. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get her out of my head. I still had so many questions for her. She said going after Ives was personal, but she wouldn’t say why. Taking a seat at my computer in my home office, I ran a search on her. Leaning back in my chair, I placed my hands behind my head and stared at the screen.

  “Who the hell are you really, Grace Adams?”

  “Bro?” Stefan interrupted my thoughts. “What are you doing? We’re all outside.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t realize the time.”

  “Sam brought the beer.”

  I followed my brother outside and saw Sam and Sebastian sitting down in the loungers. Sam grabbed a beer bottle from the case and held it out to me.

  “Thanks.” I took a seat next to him.

  “So, are you going to tell us who the hot chick is?” Stefan asked with a grin on his face.

  Taking the cap off the bottle, I flung it at him.

  “Her name is Grace Adams and she’s a detective with the NYPD.”

  “How did you meet up with her?” Sam’s brows furrowed. “You’re not even working right now.”

  I brought the bottle up to my lips and took a sip.

  “I found my CI earlier and he told me where Cody was.”

  “The guy who shot you?” Sebastian’s brows furrowed.

  “Yes. When I got to the warehouse, he was lying on the floor all beat to shit with a broken arm and broken jaw. Grace had the heel of her shoe jammed into his abdomen while holding her gun to him.”

  “Holy shit!” Stefan laughed. “Are you serious? She did all that to the guy?”

  “She did, and she doesn’t have a scratch on her.”

  “I think the important question here is what the hell were you doing going to that warehouse when you’re on leave?” Sam asked.

  “Come on, bro. You already know the answer to that,” Sebastian spoke.

  “So, what is Grace doing here? How did she find this guy?”

  “She told me she’s after Ives and his crew for ‘personal’ reasons. Apparently, she tracked down my CI and made him tell her.”