A shivery clench of my gut reveals the hard truth. Chin held out, I meet Zoe’s skeptical glare with reverence. “Let’s just say I won’t let anything hurt her, whether inflicted by me or some other asshole. I’m in this for the long haul.”
Nodding, she briefly presses her lips together, appearing to hold back a grin. “I can live with that answer.” She twirls around with the grace of a dancer, lifting the handle on an air-tight container. The kitchen fills with the heavenly aroma of a bakery as she hands me a tray of doughnuts. “Have as many as you want. My family already ate.”
When I take the one most heavily frosted in chocolate, she watches me with her elbows on the counter, chin resting on her hands, wide smile spreading across her lips. Wasn’t expecting to form an alliance with anyone in her family so early in the game. I’ll take what I can get.
* * *
Once Liam and a scary-looking dude arrive, Sasha goes out of her way to keep distance from me, choosing to sit on the other side of Zoe. As much as I get it, the fire in my chest makes it harder than shit not to drag her into my lap. But the way Ryker and the other big dude eye me up, I don’t need to give them another reason to kick my ass.
“You’re telling me your band’s responsible for scaring everyone in my neighborhood?” Ryker begins, pacing the stone patio.
I dip my chin in confirmation, holding his piercing stare. “Didn’t mean any disrespect. Just trying to shut shit down before more kids die. Since the cops don’t seem too concerned about it, I figure Bentley’s paying them to look the other way.”
A tick passes over Ryker’s jaw. “You expect me to believe you had nothing to do with killing Dean Matthews?”
“Believe whatever the hell you want, man. Still not our style. They’re just looking for a scape goat. My guess would be Bentley’s responsible, considering Matthews was known for moving drugs in Minneapolis.” I lean closer, taking a minute to look each of the men in the eye, knowing how important they are to Sasha. If I’m going to be with her the way I want, it’s imperative I earn their respect. “Every three weeks, he runs unmarked trucks out of one of his warehouses in the shipyard. If the drugs aren’t made there, I guarantee it’s at least where they’re storing them. They’re scheduled to move again tomorrow. I plan on gettin’ inside that building.”
Ryker holds his hands out at his side, one brow quirked. “Then what? You gonna torch the place?”
Sneering, I lift one shoulder. “If that’s what it takes to stop the bastard, sure.”
Liam watches me thoughtfully, shaking his head. Having once met him all those years ago along with Sasha’s brother, he was the only one to greet me with a genuine smile and a handshake. His appearance has changed somewhat over the years, but after the way he ribbed Sasha about becoming a blonde, I’m guessing he’s still a smartass. “Bentley would only move production somewhere else,” he says. “You know, like to a camper, or the basement of a fast food joint. Didn’t you learn anything from Breaking Bad?”
The big bastard they introduced as ‘Stone’ smirks with an evil glint passing through his tense expression. “He’s right. We need to think beyond the obvious. Hit ‘im where it hurts. Take ‘im out of business—permanently.” Dark energy rolls off him like a tsunami. I suspect he’s jonesing for a dirty fight, and vow never to piss him off.
Liam glances Ryker’s way. “Seems as good a time as any to call in another favor with Santos.”
“That could work,” Ryker agrees, dipping his chin. “He may be willing to put the fear of God in Bentley. If anyone could drive him outta the area, it’d be Santos.”
“You mean Santos the drug lord?” Zoe asks in a pitchy tone.
“The fuck is goin’ on?” I snarl. “You’re in business with the cartel?”
From the other side of Zoe, Sasha throws me a hard look. Yet the way her back stiffens, she seems just as unsure.
“Relax, babe,” Ryker tells his wife before turning back to me. “He worked with my uncle for years—he’s a good ally to have.”
Sasha springs to her feet, fingertips massaging her temples. “You’re deliberating whether or not to bring a drug lord into this neighborhood.”
“He’s proven his loyalties to us more than once,” Ryker tells her. “He doesn’t demand return favors.”
“The guy’s trustworthy,” Stone adds. “We can personally attest to that.”
Sasha clicks her tongue. “Oh…I stand corrected. A trustworthy drug lord. Guess there’s no point in getting upset.”
“I pay him to keep his drugs out of this neighborhood,” Ryker snaps. “Asking him to scare Bentley off wouldn’t be completely out of the scope of what’s expected of him in return.” Rubbing at the back of his neck, he sighs. “Look….you came here, asking for our help, Sash. What did you expect?”
I stand, joining Sasha in one stride. “You wanna bring a dangerous kingpin into this? You’re asking a shit-ton of her.”
“And you’re not?” he fires back, stepping into my space. “What do you suppose’ll happen when her boss discovers she’s sleeping with the enemy?”
“I’m on the same side as her. As all of you.” One breath away from whipping out my dick and marking my territory, I spread my stance and lift my chin. “I get that you’re looking out for her. Hell—I had a little sister who once told me she was in love with a South Town Player—one of your own. You don’t think I was ready to kick the guy’s ass to protect her?” Realizing my fists have clenched at my side, ready to throw punches, I release them and roll my shoulders forward. “Listen, man. How far’d you be willing to go in order to protect your wife?”
Ryker’s eyes shift over to his wife behind me. “There’s no limit.”
“Then you know exactly how I feel about Sasha. I’m the only guy out there you don’t have to worry about. Focus your energy on Bentley and every other asshole who wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in her head.” I reach for Sasha’s hand, holding it tight against my chest. “Anyone who messes with the woman I fuckin’ love will regret the day they were born.”
Sasha sucks in a sharp breath before squeezing my hand back. “Trent,” she breathes out in a throaty whisper. “What are you doing?”
Tugging her closer, I wrap my arm around her neck and kiss the side of her head. “Coming to terms with reality,” I whisper back. With my nose buried in her hair, I inhale. “Turns out I love the hell outta your stubborn ass. Nothing will change that.”
Setting a hand on my jaw, she angles my face to meet hers. “And here I was starting to worry I’m crazy for feeling the same about you.”
My heart roars when she kisses me long and hard, lazily swirling her tongue against mine. Hadn’t expected her to return the sentiment, but goddamn it’s made me the happiest bastard that ever lived. Never thought I’d experience anything like this after losing my baby sister. Didn’t think it was possible to care about anything more than avenging her death.
“The fuck is this?” Liam snarls before Sasha pulls back with a drunken smile. When I look up, Stone’s physically restraining him. Guess Ryker didn’t bring them up to speed on the situation. “Let me at ‘im, jackass!” he roars, eyes bulging as he fights like hell to break free. “Get your fuckin’ hands off her!”
“Liam, calm down!” Sasha scolds, tucking herself against my side. “Trent and I are together. Get over it. There are way more serious things to worry about. If you jack-holes can’t work with him like grown men, we’ll do this on our own.”
Liam jerks away from Stone, tugging at the neck of his t-shirt. “Hurt her and you can count on all of us knocking on your fuckin’ door.”
“Won’t happen,” I promise.
“Better not,” Liam retorts.
“Give it a rest, you guys,” Sasha says, snorting. “Can we go back to the thing about the drug lord? I need to thoroughly prepare myself for this cluster-fuck before deciding whether or not this insane idea of yours is worth the risk.”
We settle back into my chair at Zoe’s side with S
asha nestled in my lap. Zoe slugs my shoulder gently, grinning from ear-to-ear. “I fucking knew it,” she whispers as Ryker launches into a plan. “You need to work on your game-face, buddy.”
Grunting with a chuckle, I kiss Sasha’s head. Don’t care if I’m that obvious to her family. It’s once we’re going after Bentley that I’ll have to try harder. It’s enough that the bastard hurt Cali. I won’t tolerate him going after Sasha too.
* * *
On the way back to the house, Sasha convinces me it’s best for the time being if Vaughn and Declan continue believing she’s just some chick in the band. She’s right—those fuckers are loyal as hell, and may not be as quick to overlook the depths of her deception. Instead I tell them we got into a fight over Bentley, and that I was forced to bring her up to speed. Once they learn the details of Ryker’s plan to invade the warehouse the next day, they’re eager to roll.
We spend the remainder of the afternoon behind my locked bedroom door, getting to know each other all over again. Since admitting our feelings, everything’s different. Every touch lingers, every kiss deepens. We even fuck like different people—like a couple committed to a lifetime of making each other feel good. And the way she looks at me…Christ. Can hardly go a full minute once caught under the gaze of those endlessly dark orbs.
Long after the sun sets, we collapse from exhaustion. I hold her as she tells stories of a fucked-up childhood, and adventures with her roommate on and off the force in Chicago. She even shares the details of how she got into law enforcement after helping Stone’s wife. In turn, I tell her about shit I saw while overseas—something I’d never told another soul.
I sleep like the fuckin’ dead with her curled at my side. Don’t wake until the dim light of morning with her plump little lips wrapped around my shaft. After coming down her hot little throat, she pins my hands over my head and impales herself again and again on my cock. I fight her on it after awhile, and we end up wrestling back and forth until she does some kind of complicated Kung fu move with her leg wrapped around my neck. Then she releases her leg and kisses me as she slides back on, riding me until we’re both tumbling over the edge of sanity. I come so fuckin’ hard I nearly black out.
“Next time I’m bringing handcuffs,” she mutters while sliding down to lay at my side.
This woman…every time I think I may have figured her out, she surprises me yet again.
I trace the drumsticks Vaugh tattooed beside her silky breast, wondering how soon I can talk her into getting one for me. Want her branded almost more than I want her knocked up. “Once we’ve taken care of Bentley, we’re gettin’ a place together.”
She props her head on her hand, watching me thoughtfully. “Trent….I’d love to, but I don’t know what comes next. If I lose my job—”
Grasping her chin, I hold her gaze. “Then I’ll take care of you. I only pay Vaughn a couple hundred a month for this place, and don’t spend money on much else. I’ve saved enough to keep us going a good while. Years even.”
Her perfect little brow furrows. “I don’t need a man to take care of me.”
“I’ve noticed.” I chuckle hard, dropping her chin to drag her close. “I’m not just any man. I’m the only one who’s gonna be by your side—from here on out. That means it’s my job to make you happy and provide you with everything you need.”
A puff of warm breath falls over my ribs. “If by some miracle they allow me to keep my badge, I might have to relocate to a new precinct. I can’t ask you to abandon the guys.”
I grunt, squeezing my arm around her. Can’t say I love the idea of leaving the guys, but if forced to choose, she’s my first priority. “Wouldn’t have to ask. Wherever you go, I go. We’d work it out.”
Her slender fingers wander around my chest, soothing the ridges as she ponders my offer. I screw my eyes shut, wondering how I got so damn lucky to find her. Never saw myself as husband material, but I’ll drop to my knees and ask her to fuckin’ marry me today if it’s what she wants. Whatever it takes.
Suddenly she’s leaning over me, massive brown eyes lit with urgency. “Trent, I need you to promise something.”
“Name it.”
“Promise me you won’t hurt Bentley—you’ll let me handle him.” She glances down, watching her index finger smooth over my scar. “I can’t make any kind of commitment to you if you’re only going to end up in prison or dead. I don’t mean to make you choose between me and Cali’s honor…it’s just that I won’t survive losing you the same way I lost my brother.”
My gut flexes. That’s exactly what she’s doing, making me choose between the only woman I’ve ever loved, and the only legitimate family I ever had. Although I’d take a bullet to protect Sasha, it’s a disservice to Cali’s memory.
Makes it hard to think the way my balls throb with her touch. I stop her hand to end the torture. “If you’d been face-to-face with the man responsible for killing Trask, could you’ve made that promise?”
“Matter of fact, I did,” she snaps, eyes lit with fire as she pulls outta my grip. “It was the first time I realized I wanted to be in a position where I could take down scumbags like him…the right way.” She rises from the bed, swiping one of my old t-shirts from the floor. After throwing it over her head, she pulls her hair out from the shirt’s collar and ties a knot in the bottom. “If you can’t make the same promise, then the plans we’re making are a waste of my time.” A lick of tenderness replaces the fire when she softens her voice. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone other than you. I won’t stand by and watch you sacrifice our future in the name of justice when there are better, safer ways it could go down.” She kneels at my side, eyes wet. Her gentle hands lift to cradle my jaw. “I love you, Trent—more than I’m ready to handle. If you can promise that you won’t get in the way when I bring him down, I promise to deliver vengeance in Cali’s name.”
I thumb her rosy lips, wanting to kiss the worry right off. “What if that bastard hurts you? You can’t ask me to walk away from that bullshit.”
Her big brown eyes flash upward. “Ryker and Liam would never allow it.”
“Neither will I.” I lean down to collect a kiss, hoping it’ll be enough. Not gonna make a promise that I can’t keep. If Bentley discovers there’s a detective with a vendetta on his trail, he won’t stop until she’s dead.
12
Sasha
Shortly after Trent hits the shower, my personal phone chirps from somewhere in the tangled bed sheets. I fish it out to find an incoming video call from Emersyn. Crap. There’s no doubt she’ll see right through anything I say. But if I don’t answer, it wouldn’t be out of character for her to personally come here to check up on me.
With a deep sigh I accept the call, temporarily pointing the phone at the ceiling while I finger-comb through my hair. “Hey, Em, what’s up?”
“Where are you? Why can’t I see you?”
I bring the phone up to my face and throw her a smile. “No need to call in the troops. I was just putting something on.”
Her full lips harden in a stern scowl. In standard Emersyn work attire—tan suit jacket and crisp white button-down, hair slicked back in a neat bun—I assume she just punched out at work. “Why were you still naked when it’s almost noon? What’s going on with you?”
“It’s fine—I’m fine. What’s up?”
“I accepted a position in Florida.”
With a rush of disappointment, my smile drops. “When do you start?”
“In a couple of weeks. I’m moving to Papaya Springs once I’ve packed everything. Are you still on board with the plan to let the lease expire at the end of next month?”
A lump rises in my throat as I answer with a little nod. My plans with Trent are as clear as mud, but I can’t imagine I’ll be returning to Chicago ever again. Even if my old precinct took me back, Trent would never allow me to work in that area. He’s already chewed me out a few times for choosing to work somewhere so dangerous.
Emersyn tilts h
er head, flashing an uncharacteristically shy smile. “Any chance you could sneak away for a little while if I swing over before heading down?”
“I’m still tied up with this assignment.” Trying to maintain a somber expression, I look away before she can sense something’s off. “You know…I’m deep undercover and everything.”
“What’s that?” she demands. “Why aren’t you looking at me? What’s going on?”
Letting out an annoyed huff, I shake my head while meeting her piercing stare. “Why are you always quick to assume there’s something wrong?”
“Because you’re hiding something. You’re talking to a human lie detector, remember?”
“I screwed up,” I blurt, already feeling tension lift from my shoulders. “And I’m in danger of losing my badge. Are you happy?”
Gripping her forehead with one hand, she throws me her signature scowl. The kind that has probably made grown men piss themselves. “I told Sarge I’d report to the station one last time before I left so they could give me a little party, but you know how much I enjoy that kind of attention. I’ll be on the first flight out.”
I click my tongue and groan. “Seriously, Em, that’s not necessary. I’m a big girl. Believe it or not, I’m capable of handling things on my own.”
Sweetheart lips parting, her eyes light with understanding. “You slept with him, didn’t you—the guy you had an animalistic need to do twisted things with!”
“It’s complicated,” I mutter. “I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t—I don’t.” She leans in close until her narrowed vision fills my screen. “You worked your ass off for years to make detective! Why would you throw it away for some guy you just met? That doesn’t sound anything like the Sasha Green I know!”
Undercover Rockstar: A Bad Girls novel Page 11
