Pawns In The Bishop's Game

by Emilia Finn

  “Jess.” Gritting his teeth on the next thrust, his eyes scrunch shut. “Come with me, beautiful. Hurry. Jump.”

  I do.

  With his permission, I simply close my eyes and stop fighting my release; and when his lips slam down on mine, when his grunts feed me the oxygen I was so desperate for, when he comes deep inside me and warms me from the inside out, my nails dig into his shoulder blades and I ride the almost painful release that tears through my body like fire.

  Like an inferno.

  Chest heaving, Kane’s hot breath bathes my chest as he crushes me beneath his weight. Aftershocks pulse through my body and contract my core, and each time I squeeze him, he groans against my throat.

  “Jessica Ann.” Words muffled, he nibbles on my flesh until I purr. “Fuck. I knew it.” He pushes up and holds enough of his own weight to allow me room to breathe. “I knew you’d be the end of me.”

  “No.” I bring my hand up to smooth the wrinkle in his brow. “Not the end. Just the beginning.”

  23

  Kane

  On Borrowed Time

  For the first time in years, I lazily hang out in bed after eight in the morning. Jess’ silky legs tangle with mine, her head rests on my chest, and her finger circles my nipple.

  She broke me.

  She officially changed everything.

  “You got what you wanted last night.”

  Snickering, her hair tickles my shoulder when she nods. “You’ll find I can be a convincing woman. I had something you wanted, and I bargained with it.”

  “You? You bargained with your own body?”

  “Uh-huh. Totally worth it.”

  I look up to the ceiling and sigh. It crushes me that she used us as a bargaining tool rather than a declaration of feelings.

  For one evening, for the first time in my life, I got to touch heaven.

  And it was truly divine.

  “You have to go today, Jess.”

  “No.” She hitches her leg higher on my thighs. “I’m not leaving, but we need to talk about you.” Distractedly, she slides the tip of her tongue over my nipple and snickers when my dick grows beneath the covers.

  “I can’t leave, Jess. I literally can’t. They’ll kill me as soon as the thought moves through my brain. They don’t tolerate traitors in my business.”

  “You’re not being a traitor. You’re not selling their secrets. You’re just saving yourself.”

  “You said the cops know about the drop. If Abel is caught after I run, they’ll assume I narked.”

  “They’d be wrong.”

  “It doesn’t matter! Shoot first, ask questions later. I can’t leave. Plus, they know about you, Jess. And your bargaining last night made everything so much worse. They know you’re important to me – they’ve seen me choose you twice already – so they know I’ll choose you every time. You want them using you as a bargaining chip against me? Kill the cop, or the blonde gets it. Shoot up the school, or the blonde gets it. Fuck that woman, ignore her when she says no, or the blonde gets it.”

  That gets her attention. Jess’ blue eyes come up and pierce mine. “They’d ask you to have sex with someone else? To rape them?”

  “They’d ask anything they could think of. And they’d make each request worse until eventually I break. I’ll break for you, Jess. I’d do anything for you, but whether I could live with it afterwards…”

  Lifting to her elbow, she looks down at me with bright eyes that swim with unshed tears. “I don’t want you to break. But I don’t want you to be Abel’s soldier, either. You want to get me out; well, I want to get you out. I can’t run away and leave you here.”

  “And I can’t run away and leave Abel exposed.”

  “You care about him?”

  “Fuck no. But I’m his protection. If I fuck up, that puts a target on my head. A target on my head is actually a target on yours. That’s so much worse.”

  Frowning, she traces the eagle’s wings on my throat with the tip of her finger. “So maybe we need to think of a plan. Make it look like you’re there for Abel, but you’re not really.” Her eyes flash with an idea. “You could come with me to Alex.”

  “No.”

  “Yes! Just hear me out. Alex is family. He’s family. He was ready to shoot someone yesterday for speaking to me like shit.”

  “Who spoke to you like shit?”

  She shakes her head, but I don’t miss the grin. “A Special Agent Fuckface something something that wants to put you behind bars, but that’s not even my point. My point is, Alex has these very strict, very straight rules about the law. Black or white, right or wrong. There’s no room for gray in there, but he had his hand on his hip when that jerk with the stupid job title was being a dick. Alex is black and white, until his family becomes involved. Then all bets are off and his gun is in his hand.”

  “Blondie, I’m not–” his family.

  “He was going to shoot my brother once. Literally. My brother kinda hooked up with his sister; Alex’s sister, that is. Alex found out about it and my brother went missing for ages. Luc knew the black and white didn’t count, because he messed with Alex’s sister.”

  “Your brother, the guy dating Kari, which is a different friend’s little sister, hooked up with Alex’s little sister?”

  Pink tinges her cheeks. “Yeah. Long story that ended up with my brother running for his life, then he ended up with a concussion and serious trouble eating for a few days when Kari’s brother found out. But there’s that gray again; Alex should’ve arrested Marc – Kari’s brother. He beat the shit outta Luc. Like, seriously nearly killed him. Alex should’ve charged him for that, but family is family and he wasn’t going to lock Marc up for long.”

  “That’s all a fun story, Blondie, but I’m not family, and what I do for Abel is not the same as fucking someone’s sister. Well…” I lift a brow. “I mean, I fucked Luc’s little sister. But I’m not sorry for it.”

  She leans forward with a playful smile and presses her plump lips against mine. Her bright eyes make promises her mouth won’t, but that’s okay, I don’t actually want words. That’ll make it worse when I’m cold and alone in a couple months.

  “I’m not sorry either. But I still need to get you out.”

  “You’re still trying to save me, Blondie. I appreciate it more than you know; no one has ever cared enough to save me before. No one has ever kissed my cuts better. But you can’t fix this. I have a path I have to walk. The only problem is, you stepped in my way. You got tangled up. I need to get you out, I need you to be somewhere on an island in a safe house, then I need to finish my job.”

  “No.” Her brows pinch with worry. “Don’t go on Saturday, I’m begging you. I’ll give you anything you want if you choose me one more time. Choose me. I’ll run if you run.”

  I push hair back off her beautiful face. “I wish life wasn’t this way, Jessie. I wish I met you at a different time, as a different man. But that’s not what we got. Instead, we got Abel standing between us, and we cannot be together for as long as he breathes. There’s nowhere we can run that he won’t find, and he will hurt you to hurt me. That will break me.”

  “So that’s it, then? You’re just gonna give up? You’ll be his stooge and not even try to fight for us?”

  “I fight for you every second that I breathe. I’ll fight for you even when you’re already gone. But right now, I’m still Abel’s stooge, and you’re in danger. I can’t focus while you’re in danger.”

  “We have four more nights till the drop.”

  “Three.” I pull her impossibly closer and twine my fingers in her hair when her bottom lip wobbles. Harden up, Blondie. I need you to be strong. “I won’t be here Friday night. I’ll already be moving.”

  “Three.” Tears form in her eyes. “Three is so few. It’s not enough time.”

  “I know, baby.” I pull her closer and slide my tongue along the seam of her lips. “It’s not nearly enough time. I have a lot of work to do between now and then.�
�

  “I’m not leaving town. I refuse to leave you.”

  “And I refuse to let you get hurt.”

  “So I guess we’re at a stalemate.” She lifts a stubborn chin. “I’m not moving my naked ass from your bed, so really, you have three days to fuck me. Maybe you’ll decide you like me more than you like Abel.”

  With a laugh, I scoot half a foot down the bed and take her nipple between my teeth. The breath explodes from her lungs as I pull her deliciously naked body over mine. Seating my always hard cock deep inside her, she mewls and begins gliding over me.

  Perfect fit.

  Perfect woman.

  Releasing her nipple with a soft pop, I pull her face closer and stare into tear filled eyes. “You matter to me, Jess.” I lift her, lower her, control her smooth glide, and when a single tear slides over her cheek, I lean forward and collect it with my tongue. “You’re the only person in my world who actually matters. I’ll do anything to make you safe.”

  She braces her hands on my chest and squeezes her eyes closed. “I don’t want to be apart from you. I’m getting attached.”

  Releasing one hand from her hip, I press it over her heart and wait for her to still. “Be careful with this, baby. You only get one real fall. Once it’s done, every other time is just a fake, a survival instinct where you try to find something you already lost. Save it for someone special.”

  I pick her up and gently spin us around. Careful of her ribs, since she still technically has stitches, I push her into the mattress and collect more tears with my lips.

  For the first time in my life, I make love to a woman.

  My heart already went and fell. It took the tumble last week in an alleyway when ocean blue eyes locked onto mine and begged for help.

  When I walk away on Saturday, I’ll never be able to find what I feel right now. I’ll never be able to replicate it.

  I have three nights left with her, then it’s all done.

  I had no clue the end was so near.

  I park my truck up the street from Jess’ office building at five on the dot that afternoon. She walks through the front doors with Juliette Turner only a couple steps behind. Shoulder to shoulder, fancy heels and bags, they lock the doors and peek through the window while they wait for the alarm system to set.

  There’s no reason for Jess to turn. I make no sound, I do nothing to draw her attention, yet her blue eyes meet my stare.

  I grin.

  Her face drains white.

  We’re together in private. But in public, I’m a criminal, and her boss is looking to lock me up.

  I won’t out her in front of Juliette.

  Which is why I parked fifty yards away.

  Lifting my cell with exaggerated moves, I dial her number and bring it to my ear. She and Juliette stride along the sidewalk side by side, but when Juliette turns toward the parking lot, Jess stops and shakes her head.

  Digging into her bag, she takes out her cell and accepts the call even before she brings it to her ear. “I’ve gotta take this, Jules.”

  Juliette stops ten feet away and turns back with a frown. “Want me to wait? Sun’s going down already. It’s cold as shit out here.”

  “No, I’m good.” She waves the phone like that’s explanation enough. “I’m walking to my car anyway. Gonna talk to my friend first.”

  “Alright.” Taking a step back, then another, I can tell Juliette’s body rebels at the idea of leaving her girl behind. “Be careful, okay? Everything’s tense this week. You’ve been working hard, and you were sick. You gotta be sharp. I can’t afford to train up a new lawyer.”

  Jess laughs and brings the cell to her ear. “I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll text you later.” Turning, Jess’ eyes lock with mine. “What are you doing?” she hisses.

  “I wanna take you out.” I smile when her eyes narrow. She walks in my direction, but not too fast – can’t tip her boss off. “A date.”

  “Where?”

  “A surprise? A picnic.”

  “Did you already get food?”

  “Not yet. I was more interested in getting you.”

  She stops on a dime and swings back around. My heart trips from rejection, but it restarts again when she turns into Jonah’s convenience store. Instantly, the sound of fridges and beeping cash registers fill our call. “What do you wanna eat?”

  “Your pussy?”

  “Ha. Coleslaw, chicken, and rolls. Good?”

  “Whatever makes you happy, baby. But I’d rather pussy.”

  “And you’re still a pig. I assumed you’d stop being so obnoxious once you got laid.”

  “Nah, I’m gonna be a billion times wo–”

  “Ah, fuck,” she huffs. “What’s he doing here?”

  I whip my seatbelt off so fast, the buckle smacks against the window. “Who? Jess? Who’s there?”

  “Just hold on a sec, Al.” Her use of my codename sets my blood on fire.

  I yank my keys from the ignition and slam my car door open. I never expected Abel would take this to the store, but he’s fucking unhinged, so really, he’ll take it wherever the fuck he wants, just to teach me a lesson.

  “We don’t know each other,” she snaps. “Go away.”

  “Aww, hey, girlie. You look pretty. Shoot anyone today?”

  “Shut up,” she growls. “Strangers don’t say that to each other.”

  “Which bit? That you’re pretty, or the shooting bit?”

  “Both of them. Get me that mayonnaise, won’t you?”

  His laughter slows my steps twenty feet from the front of the store. I push my gun back into the waistband of my jeans and stop against the brick wall. Nope, a little old lady in floral print and hair rollers totally didn’t see me almost shoot up a grocery store.

  “You don’t wanna know me, but you need my help getting the mayo from the top shelf? You know what I call that?”

  “Smart?”

  We both laugh.

  “I call that being a user. But…” Grunting, I imagine him reaching to the very top shelf. “I also call it innovative. And I love an out of the box thinker. Whatcha doing with mayo and chicken?”

  “Oh, ya know. I thought I’d shove it up my ass and see if it works in reverse. It’s a new diet I’m trying. They’re gonna patent it after me. The no-fat, no-shit diet. I haven’t gained a single pound since I started. Haven’t lost a single pound yet, either. But it’s early days.”

  I love her.

  I can’t believe I fell in love with this woman who speaks of shit as easily as she does.

  Hell, I can’t believe I fell in love with this woman who snaps at criminals and cops and everyone else in the universe with absolutely no regard for her life.

  Fuck.

  I was smiling.

  But now I imagine her in a room with Abel.

  I think of her inability to shut her trap. Then I imagine Flynn stepping in as coldly as he did with Lisa.

  Jess wouldn’t stand a chance. She wouldn’t know to be quiet, and the Infernos crew don’t give second chances.

  I ignore our vow of secrecy and walk through the front door of Jonah’s store.

  Mayo.

  She’s getting mayo.

  I head for the condiments aisle and come eye-to-eye with Eric, my neighbor. He knows me. I know him. And when I stop at the opposite end of the aisle and meet his eyes, his lips twitch with knowledge.

  “Oh, I see now.” He gives an exaggerated nod like he’s talking to someone with hearing problems. “Chicken and mayo for dinner. My mistake.”

  Jess follows his gaze until her face pales. In the time I’ve known her, I realize we’ve never once been seen in public together, except at Infernos, which doesn’t actually count, and the truck stop, which of course is where she took me so we wouldn’t be recognized. Our entire relationship – if one could actually call it that – has consisted of clusterfuck on top of clusterfuck, but none of it has happened in the eye of the regular public. Everything we’ve ever done, every conversation
we’ve ever had, was under the cover of darkness, at Infernos, or in my apartment.

  So seeing her in a regular store, carrying a shopping basket instead of a gun, wearing heels and a skirt instead of jeans and sneakers, proves the giant fucking chasm between her world and mine.

  It reinforces my reasoning for tonight’s date.

  She’ll be taken on a date that’ll never be replicated. A date she’ll never forget.

  Moving toward the couple, I snag a bag of potato chips and toss them into her basket. Brushing shoulders with her, but not touching her otherwise – since she’s so fond of not being attached to me in public – I stop in front of my downstairs neighbor and nod. “We good here?”

  He lifts his hands and takes a step back. “We’re good, man.”

  “You got business here, or are you stepping away?”

  “I have no business with her. I don’t even know her. I’m just a good samaritan fetching mayo from the top shelf.” I have to concentrate on not crushing the cell in my hand when he flashes a wink at my girl and backs up. “Catch you later, pretty girl. Don’t shoot anybody today, it’s bad for their health.”

  As soon as he backs out of our aisle and turns on his heel, she turns on me. “Kane! What the hell are you doing?”

  “Shopping. What are you doing? You know that guy?”

  “No! I don’t know him. Never met him before in my life.”

  I narrow my eyes and follow when she starts down the aisle. “Sounded like you knew him.” I lift my phone. “I heard you.”

  “You heard me say what? That I didn’t know him and to go away?”

  “Exactly! People who don’t actually know each other don’t say ‘I don’t know you’. They say ‘hey, I’m a stubborn ass girl. What’s your name?’ Only someone who actually knows someone would say they don’t know them and for them to go away.”

  She stops by the candy bars and snatches up a Mars. “What the hell kind of logic is that? And why are you here? I didn’t tell you to follow me in.”