Sworn Enemies: Sworn

By Jill Monroe

When swindling is the family trade…

Danni Flynn is determined to do the impossible–play it straight. Banned from every casino in Nevada, she's got nowhere to run, and no one to trust. When off-the-charts sexy Eric Reynolds swaggers into her life, eager to build a future with her, red flags fly. So why can't she resist the former Navy Seal's mysterious smile and wicked suggestions?

As head of security at the Golden Archway Casino, Eric is used to being on guard. And he never breaks a rule. But high-octane Danni has him rethinking his hands-off policy. He knows about her shady past, and her even shadier family. Worse, the stunning woman harbors dangerous secrets. She needs his protection, and she had no idea!

Can he earn her trust before she learns his secret? The Flynn women might know how to play a man, but Eric has a few tricks up his sleeve. Problem is, they've forgotten the first rule in conning a con artist–don't get caught!

Author's Note: This book was originally published as Hitting the Mark–now refreshed with new scenes!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jill Monroe
• Release date: May 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9780998308197

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Money

J ust so you know, what you’re about to do, you probably shouldn’t.

Eric Reynolds jerked as he stepped up onto the sidewalk and almost dropped the basket filled with dirty clothes. Glancing up, he spied the woman who’d caught him off guard. And he wasn’t one easily caught off guard. The Navy had taught him that.

She stood in the doorway to the coin laundry, blocking his path. Or at least her flowy black skirt did. Who wore layers of dark material in Reno? The sun put the beat down on average citizens like a drill sergeant in basic training.

Excuse me, he said, being polite as he attempted to step around the stranger. After all, he was an officer and a gentleman. Besides, regret his actions? Never. Not with his methodical approach to life. He left nothing to chance.

She stared right at him, tapping her foot heavily on the cement. Nope. Not gonna let you pass. Four of you I’ve tried to help, and while yes, they managed to land their happy endings, it was touch and go for far too long. Quite frankly, I have more interesting things to attend to back home. Which is a real change for me. Two men, count ’em, two, are currently vying for my attention. Until now, I’ve had what adds up to a quarter of a man jockeying for my consideration. So let’s get this show on the road, shall we?

Eric blinked at her. Did she suffer from heat exhaustion? Dehydration? Let’s get you inside where it will be nice and cool. Is there someone I can call to come get you?

The numerous bracelets on her wrists jingled together as she pushed a swath of her long, dark hair from her face. A face that could be twenty, forty or sixty. How did someone not express an age? Maybe he was the one struggling with heat stress.

Look, you’re on the verge of doing something terrible. She held up her hand to block his automatic denial. Okay, not like murder bad, but you’re not just dipping your toes into a morally gray area. You’re platform diving with a double twist and somersault. Unquestionably wrong.

We could find you some water, too, he suggested, hiding his concern under a layer of helpfulness. Sure, her presence might ruin his carefully coordinated accidental encounter with an asset, but successful plans remained fluid. Adaptable to circumstance.

She heaved a heavy sigh. What if we make a deal? You let me read your palm, and I’ll split once I see where you’ll mess up.

Ahh, preventing a possible tragedy was her hustle. That explained the black billowy skirt and puffy white blouse–she was going for the modern-day fortune teller look. No doubt she’d stick around until some sucker responded.

How much? he asked, ready for her to be gone.

No charge.

Sure there wasn’t. How about I give you five bucks to tell me how to save myself from myself? He propped the basket against his side and thrust his hand at her. Anything to move her along. As you can see, I’m eager to know, he deadpanned.

As the woman squinted at his palm, he sensed her lack of enthusiasm and frowned at her low level of professionalism.

What was wrong with him? Expecting top-notch service from a scammer? Easier to ask a cat to bark.

Ah yes, here’s the issue, she said with a nod. It’s your fate line.

He peered at the faint crease she pointed at. I can barely see that.

She closed his hand and flashed him a look filled with pity. That’s your problem. You’re a serial over-planner, unable to loosen your grip on the tiniest of life’s details. Unclench your iron fist and allow chance to do its thing and reveal your destiny.

I don’t believe in chance, he told her, sliding his fingers from her grasp.

But destiny’s hand is always in play. For you and for her.

Her? There was a her involved now? His training kept him from rolling his eyes.

Will you be the second chance that illuminates her path? she asked, her voice taking on a dreamlike quality. Or the downfall that casts her into darkness?

Sorry to tell you this, lady, but even if your service is free, you haven’t earned your fee. There isn’t a her in my life. Except…there was a her involved in this operation. His impatience grew. Eric did actually plan to accidentally meet a woman inside the self-service laundry.

Did this faux fortune teller know about the meet and greet? How? His muscles tensed and his eyes narrowed as he studied her more closely. A tangle of thoughts unraveling in his mind. No. She didn’t know about his mission–just a lucky guess. After all, he was a man, more than a fifty percent chance a her was in his life.

Still, this woman’s indefinable appearance triggered his internal warning system, leaving him with a curious sense of unease mixed with fascination. As if she possessed a depth of knowledge and insight that extended beyond the seen.

Unease because the phony mystic suspected his intentions weren’t legit.

And she’d be right.

Danni balanced the laundry basket on her hip as she stepped out of the dry Nevada heat, and into the humidity of the Save ’n’ Wash. No one did their laundry on a Wednesday afternoon, so it was the perfect time to study. She felt a twinge unsure starting school when most people her age were finishing. Funny how going straight could do that to a person. She’d always felt cool and in control while on the grift.

She’d been born to play the game. Or so her father had always told her. And taught her.

Not worth thinking about now. Danni blinked to allow her eyes to adjust to the inside light and set her basket down on an empty table. Her textbook lay on top of her dirty clothes. She had over two years ahead of her, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

She’d carefully pushed her change into the slot when a shadow fell across her arm.

Do you have any dryer sheets? I must have left mine back at the hotel.

Danni glanced up to match the sexy voice to the shadow. On a good hair day, she’d heard a pickup line or two. In fact, she’d heard that exact come-on in the Laundromat, but never from someone like this. Someone who didn’t need cheesy words because his very presence was an open invitation.

Tall and dark and rugged.

Her breath hitched. She’d always gone for the rebels. Long hair, no job and an air of total irresponsibility. Bonus points for lack of sensitivity, except for something useless like his bad music or his dirty poetry. Those were the kind of guys who rocked her world.

But this wasn’t a guy. This was a man.

Despite the corporate cut to his dark hair, he exuded a jagged undercurrent of danger. No rebellion…just promise. She swallowed. This man was gulp worthy. A snug, navy T-shirt molded his muscular chest and shoulders. Danni kept a tight rein on her eyes. Do not lower.

She met his gaze, finding humor in the darkness of his brown eyes. And expectation. Oh yeah, he was waiting on her to answer. Dryer sheet. That was it.

Time to work it.

For a dollar, she told him.

He raised an eyebrow. You want a dollar for a single dryer sheet?

Danni shrugged. You’re welcome to go to the store.

A touch of frustration mixed with the humor already in his eyes. He stuffed his fingers into the front pocket of his well-worn jeans. And they fit him well. Nice flat stomach, narrow hips. Fine-looking package. Okay, so she’d looked lower. Big deal. He pulled out a five.

I can even make you change, she said with a smile.

She could imagine it right now. Slide him three bucks and a dryer sheet, pocket the extra. Daddy had taught her well.

But she wouldn’t. Because damn it, she was determined to be an honest person.

Also, a very rude one. Rudeness kept people away, and that’s how she liked it. The way it had to be. When people got close to you, they began expecting things. Wanting to know personal, private details.

He pushed the money into her hand. His long, lean fingers warm and strong as he folded her fingers around the cash. If you need it that badly, keep the whole five. The man took one of her sheets, turned his back, and tossed it into one of the oversized dryers in the corner.

He looked as good from the back as he did from the front.

Shoving the bill into her pocket, Danni was at a loss. She’d come out on top in this little encounter. Hadn’t she?

Danni grabbed her book and sat. Freeing her mind to the wide-open world of court reporting, she tried to forget the man. She should be memorizing the abbreviation for parenthesis. She had a mock deposition to study for. Uh-huh, that was irony there.

Her gaze strayed to the man folding his socks. What if he started folding his underwear? What if he didn’t?

Despite the thinness of her T-shirt, she broke out in a light sweat. This man deserved underwear speculation. He’d stolen the fun out of the hustle by giving her all five bucks.

And yet that made him even sexier.

Maybe she hadn’t needed to be that rude. But the man stirred up every instinct not to talk to him. Perhaps a good thing—her track record with men was awful. And she always trusted her gut. So should she go against it for once, and go for him instead? He was already folding the last of his clothes. Not much more of an opportunity.

Grabbing a dryer sheet, she walked to the table where he stood shaking out another pair of well-worn jeans. He didn’t react as she approached. She waved the dryer sheet in his field of vision. The flowery scent of a summer day wafted between them. At least that was the scent stamped on the package.

Mr. Gorgeous turned toward her and raised an eyebrow.

I’m waving the dryer sheet white flag of peace. Maybe I was a little rude back there.

A little? he asked, his voice low and rumbly. And very, very sexy.

It should be two dryer sheets for a dollar. I misquoted the price earlier. Okay, if he could work dryer sheets into a cheesy pickup line, so could she.

Without touching her, he tugged the sheet from her fingers.

Despite him not picking up what she was putting down in the form of her white flag laundry sheet, she refused to give up. The going rate for five dollars is two dryer sheets and a cup of coffee. She reached into her pocket and pulled out his bill. And I just happen to have five dollars.

I just happen to be thirsty. The humor reappeared in his dark eyes.

There’s a coffee shop at the end of this block. Why don’t I meet you there in about thirty minutes? My clothes should be dry by then.

Thirty minutes it is, he told her.

But she knew the truth. He wouldn’t show up. Sure, he’d accepted, but then who wouldn’t to get the weirdo at the Laundromat away from them? Besides, he was definitely corporate. Corporate never went for her.

Twenty-five minutes later, Danni slid her laundry basket with clean clothes into the trunk of her car and slammed the lid. She turned and faced the street. Five minutes to go. She couldn’t seem too eager. She dug out her cell phone and dialed Cassie’s number.

I’ve asked someone out for coffee, Danni said as soon as her best friend answered.

It’s snowing outside, right?

Danni checked the sunny blue sky. What are you talking about? It’s way past snowing in Reno.

That was sort of my point. You never get my jokes. How did this happen?

I insulted him, took his money, then apologized without really apologizing.

That’s like my last three relationships, Cassie said, her teasing voice making Danni grin.

He won’t show, Danni said.

Whew, that’s better. For a minute there I was afraid you were nervous. But then, your normal cynicism reappeared.

Nerves give men the upper hand on a date. Was this a date? Meeting? Whatever. Nerves were never good. You can never show too much interest.

Absolutely. A dating death wish.

Do I detect a bit of facetiousness in your voice?

If you only detect a bit, then you need your hearing tested. Listen, Danni, since you’ve asked this guy out and that’s a first for you, why don’t you make this a date of firsts. Here’s a guy who knows nothing of your past. He won’t be judging you. You’re just a woman, he’s just a man. Enjoy each other’s company. Enjoy the moment. Why are you talking to me when there’s a man waiting for you? I’m hanging up now. Click.

She smiled as she ended the call. Cassie was probably right. Danni hadn’t consciously decided to treat this new guy differently than every other man who’d stumbled into her life. But she had, and that was a valid reason to be nervous.

After returning her phone to her purse, Danni locked her car and headed to the coffee shop, leisurely passing by others on the sidewalk. The coffee shop was more of a bistro, with a selection of breads, teas, and coffees. An electronic chime sounded as she strolled through the door.

Normally her glance zoomed straight for the refrigerated display cabinet, then she’d stop and look at the specials written on the chalkboard or take a sample of the bread of the week. Not today. Instead, her gaze zoomed directly to the seating area filled with fashionable glass-topped wrought-iron tables and matching chairs.

He was there.

He’d waited for her. Her steps slowed for a moment as she approached him lounging against one of the high-backed barstools. Her knees turned wobbly, and she hadn’t expected that.

So, how should she play this? Classic vamp? No, that wouldn’t work—she wasn’t wearing the right shoes. Girl next door? No, she’d already blown her chance at innocence back at the Laundromat. She paused, and that’s when he looked directly at her. He smiled. A slow, open grin that moved across those sexy, sensuous lips of his and every nerve ending in her body fired up.

She’d been right to be cynical. She’d been right to push him away at the beginning because this man was dangerous. This was the kind of man who made logical women say, Sure, I’ll invest everything I own in your pyramid scheme.

She had no clue how to angle her behavior. Cassie had suggested that Danni should just be a woman. Could it ever be that simple? Just be yourself. Whoever that was.

Danni realized she was smiling back. I’m an idiot. She slid onto the stool beside him, and the server came by and asked for their order.

You took my money, and I don’t even know your name, he said after a moment of silence.

Danielle, but everyone calls me Danni.

I’m Eric.

She shook his hand, his fingers feeling softly calloused. So, Eric, do you usually pick up women while doing your laundry?

A beat passed before he answered, his body relaxed. Only on Wednesdays. Thursdays it’s the grocery store. Besides, that wasn’t a pickup.

It wasn’t? Her feet began to tap under the table. Had he spotted something in her the way she had in him?

You were the only person in the place using dryer sheets. Everyone else had the liquid stuff.

She glanced up quickly, her gaze meeting his. Humor danced in the brown of his eyes.

I was the only person in the place, period. You’re messing with me, she said.

A little. Besides, you clearly picked me up.

Surprisingly, she enjoyed him teasing her. Previous guys either took themselves way too seriously—rebels searching for clues—or they, similar to her father, took nothing seriously. Life was one big day at an amusement park. No waiting in line, only fun. Nothing subtle like bantering.

Technically, you made the first move, she pointed out, so I’ll have to award the pickup to you. Who knew what the ultimate prize would be for the winner.

He inclined his head as if to accept. Her heartbeat quickened. He wasn’t denying his making a move. Just a man meeting a woman. It could happen. It could work.

The waitress brought Eric his coffee and her a soft drink. "We have fresh