Aces Up: The Pinkerton Man Series, #3

By C.J. Baty

Stiles Long emphatically did not want his lover, Michael O'Leary to go on the assignment he had been given. He didn't care that Michael was an amazing poker player or that his commander thought Michael was the perfect man for the job. He almost lost Michael once. He couldn't go through that again.

Michael needed this. He needed to prove that he was able to take care of himself. He didn't need Stiles to take care of him. He needed to be Stiles' equal. The poker game in Durango, Colorado was his chance to prove that. The fact that Stiles didn't want him to go didn't matter. Michael had to do this.

Lizzie Ferguson was Stiles partner in the Pinkerton Agency. She was a good agent. That didn't mean, she had to like being dressed in satin and lace, showing way too much of her body to total strangers. Lizzie knew there was more going on at Maverick's Saloon, and it might just cost her life.

None of them suspected that a simple poker game would turn into a deadly nightmare. If the three of them weren't careful, one of them might just end up the next victim.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.J. Baty
• Release date: Jun 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393173434

C.J. Baty

CJ Baty dreamed of writing her own stories from a very young age. Time and life got in the way, but with the encouragement of her two grownup children, she began to follow that dream. She loves a mystery and when you mix in romance and hot men, you can bet there’s going to be a happily ever after. She brings her love of nature and the mountains of the Southern states into her stores too. Too many years spent in an office crunching numbers, left her with the desire to explore new places and experiences. Whenever, possible you can find her in Tennessee enjoying the fresh air and beautiful scenery. Her muse lives there so she visits often. She believes deeply that love is love and love is what binds us all.

Book preview

Aces Up

Copyright © 2019 C.J. Baty

First Edition June 16, 2019

Published in the United States

Cover Art by Select-O-Grafix, LLC

http://selectografix.com

Editing by Edits with a Touch of Grace

https://www.facebook.com/editswithatouchofgrace/

Cover content used for illustrative purposes only, and any person depicted is a model.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The following story is set in the USA and therefore has been written in US English. The spelling and usage reflect that.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Owner, except where permitted by law. To request permission and for all other inquires, contact C.J. Baty by email.

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DEDICATION

This new addition to the Pinkerton Man is dedicated to those readers who have fell in love with Stiles (Langberry) Long and have followed him along the way. Readers, like you, encourage authors, like me, to carry on telling the stories. Thank you so much for reading, and leaving a kind word here and as a review. It is very appreciated. Thank you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My family and I live in a small community where visiting local businesses is a must to help people keep their jobs. One such place for us is a Waffle House© less than a mile from my home.

I generally have coffee there every morning, and I am usually carrying a notebook with me when I enter. The waitress’s there know I am an author and for years they’ve asked when they could be in one of my books. Well, I’m happy to say you will find them in Aces Up.

Precious Peach, Roxie, Trixie, Darlin’, Dolly Ann, and Cowboy are all based on the wonderful characters who serve my coffee, give out hugs, and bless me with their friendship.

Without them this story would not have happened. I love you guys and forever you will be a part of this story.

Chapter One

N O! Stiles shouted .

The idea that McCullough, the head of the Pinkerton Agency in St. Louis, would even entertain the idea of Michael O’Leary on an assignment was absurd. Stiles couldn’t let his lover be put in this kind of danger.

The poker game at the Maverick Saloon in Colorado will be the perfect time for O’Leary to try out his wings. Stiles, he’s an excellent card player and from what I’ve been told by the New York office, he handled himself quite well in that situation.

Handled it quite well? He was nearly killed by that lunatic Father Francis! Stiles knew he was still shouting at his superior, not to mention his actions were out of line.

McCullough leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and waited patiently for Stiles’ rant to be over.

Shit. Stiles mumbled.

Are you finished? McCullough asked.

Stiles could only nod. He felt his face flush.

Would you care to give me a logical explanation why O’Leary shouldn’t go on this assignment?

The calmness in McCullough’s voice and posture unnerved Stiles. The man could have reprimanded him, yet he was patiently waiting for a reply.

There was a possibility that McCullough suspected the relationship between Stiles and Michael. He had never asked outright, and Stiles hadn’t offered. Things were different in this country than they had been in England. There, he had lived under the constant cloud of threat for being a man with his desires. This was different. Michael was his everything.

Michael is more than a friend to me, Stiles offered.

And?

I could have lost him in New York — I can’t go through that again.

Stiles, McCullough’s face softened as he leaned forward and continued. That’s a personal reason... One you are entitled to have and is no business of mine or the agency. Do you have any tactical reason why O’Leary couldn’t do the job?

He’s not a trained agent, Stiles blurted out, though he was weakening.

Neither were you on your first assignment, McCullough replied, then smiled. I believe you did just fine. You’ll be there. Lizzie will be there, and you’ll have extra backup. Michael O’Leary is the man for this assignment.

Hours later, Stiles resigned himself to the fact that he wasn’t going to change McCullough’s or Michael’s minds. It didn’t ease his own mind, his conscious, or his agitation with Michael, who was more than excited to be involved in the case. His constant happy rambling as he packed was annoying, to say the least.

Have you finished packing? Michael asked.

Stiles didn’t answer.

Do we need to pack riding clothes? I imagine there may not be enough carriages in Durango for the number of people flooding into the city.

Stiles poured himself a whiskey from the decanter on the dresser. He sipped at it slowly but still didn’t answer.

I think it will be warm enough to sleep naked, Michael snickered.

Stiles perked up at that statement. What did you say?

Finally, I have your attention. Are you going to be angry with me during the entire assignment, Stiles?

Stiles sat in the chair by the fireplace in their bedroom. Michael crossed the room and kneeled at Stiles feet. He placed his hands on Stiles knees.

Talk to me, please, Michael said, his face earnest and open.

Stiles looked into his lover’s warm eyes.

I don’t want you to go to Durango. I know I can’t stop it, but I still don’t want you to go. 

It’s just a card game. There’s nothing dangerous about that.

Stiles placed his hands on Michael’s face, palming it tenderly.

We are talking about more than a quarter of a million dollars. People have killed for much less than that. Card sharks, tricksters, con men, just to name a few, will be out to win this pot. We have no idea what they will do to win. Stiles kissed Michael then rose from his chair.

Once we board those different trains to Durango, communication between us will be difficult, Stiles pulled shirts from the bureau drawer, placing them in his valise as he talked.

We won’t be staying together either.

Ah... Michael murmured.

You’ll miss me being close by. No fucking until the case is over. I think we’ll live through it, Michael chuckled.

Stiles carefully undid the buttons on Michael’s vest. He was dressed properly even at this hour, always neat and tidy. Stiles loved to rumple the man. Michael pushed his hands away.

I’ll do it, he grinned wickedly. You always make such a mess of things; besides, I know you’d rather watch me.

He was right, of course. Stiles did enjoy watching as Michael removed each article of clothing neatly laying it aside. It reminded him of the first time he’d seen Michael undress. It still drove his lust higher, though now it was tempered with the love he had found with this remarkable man.

For now, he shut out all his worry about the upcoming assignment. Now, he concentrated completely on making this moment one to remember. He had no idea Michael had plans of his own.

In all his past relationships, Stiles had been the receiver on very few occasions. However, his relationship with Michael was different from any he’d ever experienced. He was learning to make love with Michael, not just fuck. Michael was teaching him things as well, things that Stiles had only played around the edges with, things Michael seemed determined to instruct him in. Tonight was no different.

Now, here I stand completely bare and you are still sitting there with your clothes on, Michael said as he sat on the bed. He leaned back to support his upper body with his outstretched arms. His legs spread open with his growing member dangling between them. Stiles wet his lips with his tongue and choked back a whimper.

Undress, please, Michael’s request was more of a command.

Stiles was not as worried about the condition of his clothing as Michael. He was naked in just a few minutes and walking toward Michael and their bed.

Michael brought up one of his hands and placed it on Stiles chest.

Stop.

Dropping to his knees, he proceeded to apply wet kisses across Stiles stomach working his way down his body. His own prick was growing larger under the touch of his lover. When Michael pressed his lips to the tip of Stiles cock and kissed it tenderly, a wave of pleasure flooded Stiles’ body. This time the whimper escaped before he could stop it.

Michael, he moaned as he touched the man’s reddish locks.

Michael’s mouth covered his cock swiftly and swallowed as much of it as he could. He sucked and licked and caressed it with his mouth. It was almost too much pleasure too soon for Stiles to handle. For a brief moment, he thought his knees would give out on him. The sudden removal of Michael’s mouth shocked Stiles.

On the bed, Michael said as he stood. On your knees.

The command in Michael’s voice did strange things to Stiles’ body. His cock grew harder and his balls ached. A part of him wanted to balk at Michael giving the commands. Another part of him shook with anticipation of what was to come.

Michael stood by the bed expecting Stiles to do as he was told. His cock was flushed red and standing ready for what was about to happen between them. Stiles could see a tiny pearl of seed on the tip... waiting.

Once he was on the bed, Michael moved his hands to the headboard.

Don’t move them.

Behind him, Stiles could hear Michael as he moved about the room. He knew he was picking up items that they would need. His body reacted to the feel of the bed as it dipped beneath Michael’s body when